Atletico Madrid and Arsenal draw 1-1 in Champions League semi-final first leg

On April 29, 2026, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Metropolitano Stadium. The match was defined by two penalty goals: Viktor Gyökeres scored for Arsenal in the 44th minute, while Julián Álvarez equalized for the home side in the 56th minute. Before the match, Arsenal successfully requested that UEFA officials measure the height of the grass on the pitch. Atletico Madrid had several chances, including a header hitting the post by Antoine Griezmann and a crucial save by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya against Ademola Lookman. In the 80th minute, referee Danny Makkelie overturned a penalty decision that had been initially awarded in favor of Atletico. Both teams now head to London for the return leg at the Emirates Stadium, scheduled for May 5, 2026, where a spot in the final in Budapest will be decided. In another semi-final match held on April 28, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 in a high-scoring encounter.