There was a severe weather alert ringing around Madrid, but instead, toilet rolls fell out of the sky, as the thunderstorms took place on the pitch instead, with two sensational penalty kicks from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez.
There was controversy, as Arsenal were awarded a penalty with only 10 minutes remaining, only for VAR to decide that there was minimal contact from David Hancko on Eberechi Eze.
The draw means that it remains all square heading into next week’s meeting, where the ticket to Budapest will be stamped.
However, before the two sides meet again next Tuesday, Arsenal have an important clash with Fulham on Saturday as they look to extend their lead at the top to six points.
Story of the game:
As a result of injuries sustained in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday, Mikel Arteta was forced into two changes. Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli came in for Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze, with Eze dropping to the bench.
His counterpart, Diego Simeone, made four changes of his own. David Hancko slotted into the backline, Johnny Cardoso replaced the injured Pablo Barrios, while Ademola Lookman and reported Arsenal target Julian Alvarez both returned to the starting lineup.
Following an incredible welcome at the Estadio Metropolitano, including rolling out the AC-DC classics and hurling acres of toilet roll towards the pitch, it came as no surprise that the hosts started immediately on the front foot.
However, it was Arsenal who carved out the first chance of the contest, courtesy of some excellent play from Noni Madueke.
Madueke worked a dangerous ball into the box, with Piero Hincapie lurking at the far post, but he was unable to direct his effort on goal.
The game remained evenly balanced, producing an enthralling end-to-end battle.
David Raya made a fine diving stop to deny Alvarez’s razor-sharp effort from the edge of the area, before Arsenal responded through Gyokeres, who broke forward and squared for Martin Odegaard, but the Arsenal captain failed to convert.
Madueke later saw a curling effort go narrowly wide of the bottom-left corner, while Alvarez’s looping header sailed just over the roof of the net at the other end.
In a game that could be defined by an individual moment, it was a well-worked move that the visitors were able to capitalise on.
Martin Zubimendi’s intelligent ball sent Gyokeres through on goal, and he was brought down in the area by Hancko, leaving referee Danny Makkelie no option but to point to the spot.
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Up stepped Gyokeres, who converted the resulting penalty with confidence, despite Jan Oblak diving the right way, giving the Gunners the edge heading into the interval.
Los Rojoblancos were incredibly close to drawing back level within minutes of the restart. In a similar position to his free-kick against Barcelona, Alvarez’s effort ricocheted into the side netting.
From that point, the pressure continued to build from the hosts. Lookman forced a save from Raya before Antoine Griezmann’s follow-up was blocked bravely by Gabriel.
Less than a minute later, Ben White’s attempt to block another Atleti shot deflected off his leg and onto his hand, leading to a VAR intervention to award another penalty.
Alvarez made no mistake in restoring parity, leaving Raya rooted to the spot with an emphatic finish.
The attacking bombardment from Atleti did not stop there.
Griezmann, playing in what will be his final Champions League match at the Metropolitano, struck the crossbar and later missed from close range as the hosts continued to fight to take the lead.
Sensing the shift in momentum, Arteta made further changes, bringing on Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.
Lookman scuffed an excellent opportunity, with Raya again making another great stop to deny Simeone’s side a second.
But just as momentum had switched, Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot again, after Eze was fouled in the box, awarding the Gunners a second penalty.
This time, VAR intervened in the hosts’ favour once again, overruling the decision to the joy of the Atleti faithful.
There was a feeling that there was a goal for the taking, but neither side could find that all-important breakthrough, meaning it remains level heading into the second leg next week.