{"id":86984,"date":"2026-04-29T23:53:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T23:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/atletico-arsenal-still-have-all-to-play-for-in-champions-league\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T23:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T23:53:06","slug":"atletico-arsenal-still-have-all-to-play-for-in-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/atletico-arsenal-still-have-all-to-play-for-in-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Atl\u00e9tico, Arsenal still have all to play for in Champions League"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"byline-wrap\">\n<ul class=\"authors byline-authors\">\n<li class=\"mutiple-authors\">\n<p>Alex Kirkland<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"byline-sep byline-sep--and\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"mutiple-authors\">\n<p>James Olley<\/p>\n<div class=\"author-overlay\">Close<\/p>\n<div class=\"multi-authors\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"author-img\" src=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=\/i\/columnists\/espn_generic_m.jpg&amp;h=80&amp;w=80&amp;scale=crop\"\/><\/p>\n<p>James Olley<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"source\">Senior Writer, ESPN FC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Multiple Authors<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"timestamp \">Apr 29, 2026, 06:04 PM ET<\/span><\/div>\n<p>MADRID &#8212; A penalty each from Viktor Gy\u00f6keres and Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez saw Atl\u00e9tico Madrid and Arsenal share a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg. After the fireworks delivered by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich a day earlier, Wednesday&#8217;s game at the Metropolitano was, unsurprisingly, a tighter affair.<\/p>\n<p>Gyokeres put visiting Arsenal ahead in the 44th minute, after the forward had drawn a clumsy challenge from Atl\u00e9tico&#8217;s D\u00e1vid Hancko inside the box.<\/p>\n<p>Atl\u00e9tico rallied after halftime, and \u00c1lvarez leveled with a spot kick of his own in the 56th minute, awarded for Ben White&#8217;s handball.<\/p>\n<p>Referee Danny Makkelie gave Arsenal another penalty late but then overturned his decision after a VAR check &#8212; ruling that Hancko had not fouled substitute Eberechi Eze &#8212; to leave the tie finely balanced ahead of next week&#8217;s second leg in north London. <em>&#8212; Alex Kirkland<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Marcotti: Don&#8217;t nitpick, just marvel at the talent of PSG and Bayern<br \/>&#8211; Kirkland: Can Griezmann win UCL to leave Atl\u00e9tico on a high?<br \/>&#8211; Hamilton: Could 133 Eredivisie matches be replayed? <\/strong><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>Second UCL semifinal in the shadow of PSG-Bayern<\/h2>\n<p>In fairness to both teams, almost any game would have struggled to live up to the nine-goal thriller Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich served up 24 hours earlier. And this wasn&#8217;t actually a bad game, particularly in the second half when Atl\u00e9tico came to life after \u00c1lvarez&#8217;s equalizer. But it was a match that ultimately ended with two penalties and no goals from open play.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"inline inline-photo full\">\n<figure><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651146_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=570&amp;format=jpg, https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651146_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 376px)\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651146_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=375, https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651146_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 375px)\"><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"photoCaption\">Viktor Gy\u00f6keres, right, delivered the opening goal for Arsenal, but the Gunners failed to pull away against hosts\u00a0Atl\u00e9tico Madrid.\u00a0<cite>Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<p>This game actually had more shots &#8212; a combined 29 compared with 22 in Paris &#8212; but the attacking quality on display at the Metropolitano was nowhere near as good as Tuesday evening. Arsenal will be furious there wasn&#8217;t a third penalty after a challenge by Hancko in the box &#8212; given on the field but overturned after a lengthy VAR review &#8212; and both sides will rue missed chances. But the suspicion that the most likely winner of the Champions League will come from the other half of the draw was not removed here. <em>&#8212; James Olley<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez does it all for Atl\u00e9ti<\/h2>\n<p>At times Wednesday night, it felt as if \u00c1lvarez was everything for Atl\u00e9tico Madrid: not just their most dangerous forward, but their most creative playmaker and most composed ball-playing midfielder as well.<\/p>\n<p>Long before he converted Atl\u00e9tico&#8217;s second-half equalizer, he was already the key man for the home side. With 13 minutes gone, only a spectacular save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya prevented \u00c1lvarez from giving Atl\u00e9tico the lead. He was also dropping constantly into midfield, looking to help build the home side&#8217;s attacks &#8212; sometimes to Atl\u00e9ti&#8217;s detriment, given that it left only Antoine Griezmann and an off-form Ademola Lookman ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>In the second half, most of the Metropolitano thought \u00c1lvarez&#8217;s free kick &#8212; fast becoming his calling card &#8212; had crept inside the post, rather than drift wide. And when he had the chance to level from the penalty spot, there was never any doubt, his execution flawless.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s now 10 Champions League goals for \u00c1lvarez this season. No Atl\u00e9tico Madrid player has done that before in the history of the competition. Lionel Messi is the only other Argentine player to get into double figures in a Champions League season.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"inline inline-photo full\">\n<figure><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a1.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651148_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=570&amp;format=jpg, https:\/\/a1.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651148_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 376px)\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a1.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651148_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=375, https:\/\/a1.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F0429%2Fr1651148_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 375px)\"><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"photoCaption\">Julian \u00c1lvarez was Atl\u00e9tico&#8217;s standout player and got on the scoresheet for his efforts.\u00a0<cite>Angel Martinez\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<p>When \u00c1lvarez, tiring and looking in some pain, was substituted for in the 77th minute, he was replaced by creative midfielder \u00c1lex Baena, reflecting the withdrawn role \u00c1lvarez had played on the field. Atl\u00e9tico were less dangerous in his absence, and the same would be true if \u00c1lvarez were to depart this summer. Diego Simeone said before the match that interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in \u00c1lvarez is &#8220;normal&#8221; given his quality. On this performance, it&#8217;s difficult to argue. He was outstanding and would improve any team. <em>&#8212; Kirkland<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Arsenal prioritize functionality over flair<\/h2>\n<p>The Gunners have been criticized for an approach that focuses on pragmatism and control rather than dynamism and flair, but they got the balance right for the most part here.<\/p>\n<p>The opening 45 minutes was in fact the quintessential European away game at a tough venue: dig in early, establish an element of control and then nick a goal. They lost their composure for 15 minutes when Atl\u00e9tico equalized, but Arteta&#8217;s positive substitutions &#8212; changing his entire forward line to bring on Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard in a triple substitution with just over 20 minutes left &#8212; helped them regain a foothold.<\/p>\n<p>Arteta is acutely aware that it has been 20 years since Arsenal reached a Champions League final, and he is determined to ensure they do not fall short because of any naivety &#8212; hence the discipline with which he asks his team to play. They are now 13 games unbeaten in this competition, tying their longest streak in the competition. This was a better display than in their away games at Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP, and they now stand 90 minutes from the showpiece game in Budapest, Hungary, a step closer to the end justifying the means. <em>&#8212; Olley<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Atl\u00e9tico fail to make most of home-field advantage<\/h2>\n<aside class=\"inline float-r inline-track\">\n<h2 class=\"img-title\">All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"imageLoaded\" src=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/photo\/2025\/0813\/r1531432_1296x729_16-9.jpg\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. <b>Sign Up Now<\/b><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Ultimately, this feels like a missed opportunity for Atl\u00e9tico. They had 18 shots, creating 13 chances &#8212; two of them classified as big chances by Opta, for Lookman &#8212; for an xG of 2.22. But they scored only once, from the penalty spot, and they take a draw with them to the Emirates next week, when they could so easily have gotten a win here.<\/p>\n<p>That shouldn&#8217;t overshadow the fact that the home team played pretty well, though, delivering a worthy performance in its first Champions League semifinal in nine years. The team didn&#8217;t freeze in the spotlight. It started the game well, dropped off a little before halftime, but then came roaring back after the break, when \u00c1lvarez, Lookman and Griezmann all went close, even before \u00c1lvarez scored his penalty.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll be proud of that, but they&#8217;ll also feel regret. One of Simeone&#8217;s favorite words when talking about football is <em>contundencia,<\/em> which can be translated as being clinical, or decisive in key moments. Atl\u00e9tico weren&#8217;t here, and it might cost them. <em>&#8212; Kirkland<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Gyokeres steps up &#8230; then fades away<\/h2>\n<p>What a curious player Gy\u00f6keres is. For 45 minutes, he was exactly what Arsenal needed: holding the ball up, working hard to close down Atl\u00e9tico out of possession and clinical when the opportunity to score came his way. He ended that half with 10 touches but had only five in the following 24 minutes after the break as Arsenal lost control of the game. In fact, between the restart and the 63rd minute, he touched the ball only once.<\/p>\n<p>The irony is he probably wouldn&#8217;t have started this game had Kai Havertz been fit and yet he is now only one goal away from 20 goals in all competitions &#8212; the first player to do that since Saka reached the milestone two years ago &#8212; and the numbers would suggest he is having a perfectly respectable first season in England since his summer move from Sporting CP. And yet, the nagging question remains: Is he capable of defining the biggest games, as Arsenal expect from their big-money No. 9? The jury is probably still out. <em>&#8212; Olley<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alex Kirkland \u00a0and\u00a0 James Olley Close James Olley Senior Writer, ESPN FC Multiple Authors Apr 29, 2026, 06:04 PM ET MADRID &#8212; A penalty each from Viktor Gy\u00f6keres and Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez saw Atl\u00e9tico Madrid and Arsenal share a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg. After the fireworks delivered by Paris Saint-Germain [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":86985,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_daextam_enable_autolinks":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-football-transfers"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/r1651146_1296x729_16-9.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86984\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}