Arsenal and Atletico exchange penalty goals in 1-1 draw
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal exchanged penalties in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, a gritty encounter with plenty of intensity from start to finish even if it lacked the fireworks of a nine-goal thriller in Paris.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain had edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in France in Tuesday’s semifinal. Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium by converting a 44th-minute penalty kick. Julian Alvarez equalised for Atletico — also from the penalty spot — in the 56th.
Arsenal was awarded another penalty in the 78th after Eberechi Eze was brought down by David Hancko inside the area, but the call was overturned — several moments later — after a video review.
The second leg is in London next Tuesday, when both clubs will try to return to the final after a long absence and earn a chance to win the European title for the first time.
“Here you have to suffer. Many teams have suffered here, including some of the best in the world,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. “We had some good moments in the match and moments where we had to suffer. The margins are very slim. We are in an incredible position — the semifinal of the Champions League. We have to play in front of our people — it’s in our hands.”
In the league phase of the competition, Arsenal routed Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Atletico last made it to the Champions League final in 2016, when it lost to city rival Real Madrid.
“We tried,” Atletico midfielder Koke Resurreccion said. “We started losing with that penalty, which was doubtful, but the team recovered and we could equalise with a penalty ourselves. We had the opportunities to win, but it will all be decided in the second leg. I think we played a good match.”
Gyokeres broke the deadlock Wednesday from the penalty spot after he was brought down inside the area by Hancko, who was a bit late to the ball and slightly bumped the Arsenal striker from behind. The buildup came after Atletico lost possession in attack.
“Overall I think it was a tough game, we know it’s a tough place to come, but it’s only halftime,” Gyokeres said. “We know when we play at home, with our fans, it’s going to be different for sure and we just have to do our job, be at our best, and for sure it’s going to be a good game at home.”
