Penalty drama as Arsenal draw away to Atletico Madrid

Semi-final 1st leg

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid scored a penalty each in an incident-packed first-leg draw that leaves their Champions League semi-final in the balance.

Viktor Gyokeres won and scored a spot-kick for the visitors just one minute before the break after he went down under a challenge from David Hancko.

But Julian Alvarez levelled the score 11 minutes into the second half with a penalty awarded following a video assistant referee review.

The game started as a cagey affair with neither side looking to give away an advantage.

But after Gyokeres put the Gunners in front, Atletico Madrid started the second half by piling on the pressure.

Ademola Lookman forced David Raya into a save before Gabriel Magalhaes produced an excellent block to deny Antoine Griezmann from the rebound as the hosts looked for an equaliser.

Atletico got a penalty when Marcos Llorente’s shot from the edge of the box hit Ben White’s leg and then touched his hand.

The referee pointed to the spot after a VAR check, with Alvarez slamming the ball into the top corner.

Griezmann hit the crossbar before Lookman had a golden chance to score a second for Atletico but the winger could only shoot straight at Raya from close range.

Substitute Eberechi Eze thought he had won Arsenal’s second penalty late on when he appeared to beat Hancko to the ball inside the area but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

The tie is now finely balanced before the two sides meet in the second leg in London next Tuesday.

Arsenal had to fight hard at the Estadio Metropolitano but were solid defensively – and although they lacked a consistent attacking threat, they were unlucky to leave Madrid without a win.

 

Gyokeres had one of his better nights in an Arsenal shirt. He may look awkward at times leading the line, but his confident penalty gave the Gunners a platform in the match.

One of the forward’s best attributes is his ball striking and he never looked like he was going to miss from the spot when given the chance.

Manager Mikel Arteta has made a big point this season of saying how his ‘finishers’ – his substitutes – will make the difference in key moments.

That was nearly proved right again as substitute Eze sought to make an impact – but he was denied a penalty after going down following contact from Hancko.

Raya needed to make some key saves to stop Arsenal from going behind and Atletico did hit the crossbar.

Arsenal will also feel that the penalty given against them was harsh, considering the ball hit White’s leg before striking the defender’s hand.

But the Gunners can take confidence from the fact that they will kick off on level terms with home advantage next week.

Before the match, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said that some of the world’s best sides, including Arsenal, are interested in signing Alvarez.

And the Argentine forward provided a performance which showed why he has so many admirers.

The striker made Atletico’s first chance himself when he showed clever footwork to beat Gabriel on the edge of the box before forcing Raya into a good save.

He then almost beat Raya from 30 yards with a free-kick after Gyokeres had given away a foul early in the second half.

His penalty to level the game was powerfully struck into the top corner – Raya was rooted the spot, such was ferocity of the shot.

Alvarez only returned to the starting line-up for this game after a thigh problem – and he had to go off after appearing to pick up a knock.

Atleti will hope that it is nothing serious, as they will need him if they are to reach the final.

Arsenal return to league action on Saturday when they host Fulham. Atletico travel to take on Valencia in La Liga, also on Saturday.