What we covered here
• Atlético and Arsenal draw: This Champions League semifinal first leg finishes 1-1 after two penalties are scored: the first by Viktor Gyökeres in the first half and the second was smashed in by Julián Álvarez. The game was a defensive struggle, but entertaining nonetheless.
• Atleti and Arsenal chasing the dream: Neither club has won the European Cup, though both have made the final before. The Colchoneros have reached the final three times (1974, 2014 and 2016) and the London club did it once (2006).
• Last night’s chaos: If you missed last night’s game between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich – wow, you lost out. The 5-4 thriller that Les Parisiens won included comebacks, spectacular goals, a bit of controversy and non-stop action. Read up on everything that happened here.
• Cobertura en directo en español: sigue toda nuestra cobertura de las semifinales de la Liga de Campeones en CNN en Español.
A game of two halves, penalties and VAR drama
It was far from the nine-goal thriller that Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich gave fans in the City of Light last night, but there are still plenty of talking points to take away from tonight’s game.
And as the old saying goes, it really was a game of two halves.
Arsenal was on top for the first 45 minutes and the scoreline reflected that. Diego Simeone’s squad then came out like men possessed in the second half and managed to pull themselves level.
But the main talking points will undoubtedly be around the referee and VAR.
Three penalty decisions were whistled in this game, and oddly enough, it seemed that each time a spot kick was awarded, the resulting VAR check became more onerous – with the final decision being overturned by the referee.
Regardless, the tie remains all square heading into the second leg at the Emirates on Tuesday. It doesn’t really matter if either or both sides feel decisions tonight went against them, the task for the second leg is simple.
Winner takes all.
For Atlético, a chance to return to its first final in a decade is at stake. For Arsenal, a first final in 20 years.
For both, a chance to keep their dreams alive of lifting the biggest and most important trophy in the European club game for the very first time.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta furious at "unacceptable" penalty decision
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming at full-time after watching his side get the penalty decision overturned after a VAR review.
The Spaniard says it wasn’t a clear and obvious mistake, so the referee should not have been told to review his decision.
“Extremely disappointed and annoyed because it was against the rules. I don’t understand it and it changes the course of the tie. So I’m very, very upset,” he said.
“There’s clear contact, you make a decision and you can’t overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It’s completely unacceptable.”
Antoine Griezmann looks ahead to huge second leg in London
Antoine Griezmann will be leaving Atlético Madrid at the end of this season to join up with MLS side Orlando City. But based on today’s performance, he still has a lot to offer on the biggest stage.
The Frenchman was a constant threat and impressed with his silky link-up play. So much so, that he was named Player of the Match.
“We played better in the second half. We also played with more intensity. That’s the way to go, and that’s what we’ll do in the second leg – it’ll be a great game,” he said after the match.
“We want to reach the final. I’ve prepared a lot for this match and the one in London, and hopefully we can make it to the final.”
Viktor Gyökeres on "tough second half"
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres was speaking to TNT Sports after the full-time whistle and would not be drawn into the drama around the penalty decisions in the game.
He did, though, sound confident his team could succeed in the second leg in front of the home fans.
“It was not very easy,” he said when asked about the second half performance.
“Of course, they have the crowd here. We always tried to play and get back that momentum we had in the first half.
“I think we got it back a little bit. But yeah, it was a tough second half.
Full-time: Arsenal and Atlético Madrid level after first leg, 1-1
After a drab first half, the second 45 minutes (and then some) certainly made up for it.
Atlético Madrid really turned up and made a game of it, pushing Arsenal to its limits. The Premier League side will be happy to have ridden out that wave, but will feel frustrated that its second penalty of the semifinal was overturned.
Plenty of drama and a lot to look forward to ahead of the second leg in London on Tuesday.
1-1 is probably a fair result.
Tense atmosphere in these final minutes in Madrid
Arsenal has been under pressure for the entirety of the second half but somehow almost had a chance to take the lead.
Atlético and Diego Simeone felt hard done by after the Gunners were awarded a penalty in the first half; had Mikel Arteta’s side been given a second gift from 12 yards, we might have seen chaotic scenes in the Metropolitano.
At this point, Arsenal would likely be happy to leave the Spanish capital as it is with the scoreline level.
But could there yet be another goal in this game?
Penalty ruled out after VAR check!
After a long wait, the referee is sent to the screen to see a replay of his penalty call.
He then decides to overrule his decision after judging Eberechi Eze wasn’t impacted enough by Dávid Hancko.
What a game we have!
Penalty to Arsenal!
Wow. It’s been all Atleti, but now Arsenal has been awarded a penalty after Eberechi Eze is tripped.
VAR will double-check this.
Another glorious chance for Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid should be ahead by now – it’s certainly had enough chances.
The latest fell to Ademola Lookman after a flowing attacking move. The winger does well initially to sit his defender down but then produces a tame effort right at David Raya in goal.
Lookman gets in again shortly after but slips over when racing into the box.
Arsenal feeling the Spanish heat against Atleti – can it turn it around?
This is now a real test of Arsenal’s resolve and resilience. The Gunners are fighting to win not just the Premier League title for the first time since 2004 but also the Champions League for the first time in club history.
Since briefly seeing Manchester City go top of the league on goals scored, the Gunners responded by beating Newcastle United to regain top spot and now they’re embroiled in a tough battle to make their first appearance in a Champions League final since 2006 when they lost to Barcelona.
After a poor run of form recently, the north Londoners started this match well, looking sharp and thoroughly motivated, but they’re under real pressure now in the Spanish capital.
They have one real cause for optimism though. The Gunners know they have a fit again Bukayo Saka ready to go. The young Englishman has just come on after recovering from a recent injury. It’s just like making a vital new signing for the closing stretch of games!
Arsenal is a different team when he’s on song, averaging 2.6 goals per game in this season’s Champions League compared to only 1.5 goals on average in the four matches he’s missed.
Atlético Madrid very much in the ascendancy
Atlético Madrid simply looks like a different team in this half and it’s more like the one we’re used to seeing in the Champions League.
The hosts sat back in the first 45 minutes, but that has very much changed now. Its players are now hunting in packs, pressing Arsenal whenever the visitors have the ball.
The Premier League side simply can’t cope and keeps losing the ball. It’s remarkable that the Spanish side didn’t do this from the start.
Nerves for Arsenal after conceding
Soccer is all about momentum – and it’s fully behind Atlético Madrid now.
Arsenal looks shaken and just passed the ball off the pitch after a mixup at the back.
The home fans went crazy after Julián Álvarez was just fouled and it’s all contributing to a chaotic atmosphere.
Atleti forward Antoine Griezmann then almost scored a worldy, but his effort hit the woodwork. Worrying times for Arsenal.
Goal for Atlético Madrid, 1-1!
Julián Álvarez makes no mistake from the spot.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya could do nothing about that, with the Argentinian striker smashing his effort into the top-left corner.
A brilliant penalty and this stadium has gone wild.
Penalty to Atlético!
Just like Arsenal in the first half, Atlético now has a penalty of its own and a chance to draw level.
Marcos Llorente’s volley from a right-sided corner was going well wide, but unfortunately for Arsenal bounced and struck Ben White’s arm.
It was initially missed by the referee, but after a relatively quick check by VAR standards, it was given.
Julián Álvarez steps up…
Atlético Madrid should be level after two golden chances
Incredible.
Atlético Madrid just missed two major chances to get back level in this game. First, Ademola Lookman sends a shot straight at David Raya when through on goal, then Antoine Griezmann sees a follow-up effort blocked.
Now, though, the hosts might have a penalty…
Julián Alvarez goes close for Atleti
Atlético Madrid didn’t offer much in that first half, but it’s started this second a little better.
After being bundled over just outside the box, Julián Álvarez brushes himself off and sends his free-kick narrowly past the post.
Some inside the stadium thought it had flown in after the ball curled into the side-netting.
We're back underway for the second half in Madrid
Atlético and its fans will likely feel hard done by with that penalty, especially with it being given against them right on the stroke of half-time.
But despite that, Diego Simeone’s side were not good enough in the first half.
For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, all they can hope for is more of the same and to hold onto this narrow lead in this next 45 minutes.
But Atlético will undoubtedly come out swinging – as they must.
All to play for in this second half in Madrid.
It's halftime in Madrid as Arsenal leads Atlético 1-0
The whistle has blown on the first half in eastern Madrid and it’s 1-0 to Arsenal against Atlético, thanks to a Viktor Gyökeres penalty.
Well, whereas yesterday was two boxers going hogwild with haymaker after haymaker, today’s affair is decidedly more like watching a Floyd Mayweather Jr. defensive masterclass.
Is one more entertaining than the other? Yes, decidedly yes. But is that to say the latter isn’t elite level of sport? No, it isn’t.
While today’s match won’t be likely to draw casual fans into either the Rojiblancos or Gunners fandom, it is definitely a much more tense and cagey battle that soccer fans will still enjoy. While those of us at CNN Sports are admittedly yearning for the goalfest of what seems like yore, we can still appreciate the top level of play on display.
All that being said… ¿podemos marcar un par de goles más, por favor? (“Can we score a couple more goals please?”)
Goal for Arsenal, 1-0!
Viktor Gyökeres steps up and smashes his penalty into the back of the net.
Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak guessed the right way, but the Swedish striker put too much pace on his effort.
A perfect time to score, right on the stroke of half-time and, in fairness, the Premier League side has edged this so far.
Atlético Madrid has been poor so far, perhaps giving its opponent too much respect.
Penalty to Arsenal!
This game looked to be cruising into half-time at 0-0. But maybe not now.
Viktor Gyökeres is bundled over in the box after some sloppy play from Atleti.
