Arsenal and Atletico Madrid will head to the Emirates Stadium level at 1-1 after a controversial VAR decision overshadowed their first leg
22:00, 29 Apr 2026Updated 22:14, 29 Apr 2026
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Declan Rice of Arsenal speaks with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at Metropolitano Stadium on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal drew with Atletico Madrid in Spain(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
There aren't many tougher European assignments than away trip to the Metropolitano - especially in the late spring heat.
Teams that have spent the season blowing away their competiton can simply melt in the heat of the cauldron. Arsenal knew they had to avoid that fate if they wanted to reach a first Champions League final in two decades.
It was a tale of two-and-a-half penalties in Madrid - the first two were scored and the third was overturned in controversial fashion. Viktor Gyokeres netted the opener, after a piece of superb work to win the spot-kick in the first place.
It was the tale of two-and-a-half penalties
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It was the tale of two-and-a-half penalties(Image: Getty Images)
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There has been plenty of criticism of the Swede this season, but he was excellent for the opener, using his pace to get ahead of David Hancko.
Gyokeres then waited for the contact, baiting the defender into pushing him into the back, and hitting the deck. Arsenal deserved the lead, that was duly handed to them from the spot.
In the second-half it was Atletico Madrid's turn from the spot. At first the handball from Ben White - after the ball had deflected off his foot. We've seen them given in Europe and after a quick VAR check Julian Alvarez slammed the ball home.
VAR overshadowed the clash
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VAR overshadowed the clash(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's dominance had started to wane and Arteta decided to take off Martin Odegaard for Eberechi Eze.
It was a strange decision at the time, Odegaard had been the one pulling the strings for the Gunners in the centre of the park and Eze isn't that type of player. Atleti started to grow back into the game from that moment.
However, Eze was involved in the most controversial moment of the clash, when he hit the deck under, minimal, contact from Hancko. There was a lengthy stoppage and, after a VAR check, the penalty was waved away.
Arsenal with have the home advantage next week
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Arsenal with have the home advantage next week(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal fans were furious: "That referee bottled it. How can they say that is a clear and obvious error? Should have been a penalty all day long."
"Balance of probabilities? I don’t *think* this is a penalty. Beyond all reasonable doubt? Not sure you can overturn this based on the angles we were shown," a second admitted.
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"Absolute joke more of a pen than the other two," a third fumed. And another added: "Genuinely diabolical. He’s stepped on his foot. You can see he’s stepped on his foot. It’s been awarded as a penalty..."
Arsenal managed to avoid defeat, however, and they will welcome Atleti to the Emirates next week level on aggregate with the home advantage.