04/29/26 05:09:00
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04/29 17:08 CDT Arsenal and Atletico exchange penalty goals in 1-1 draw in 1st
leg of Champions League semifinals
Arsenal and Atletico exchange penalty goals in 1-1 draw in 1st leg of Champions
League semifinals
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Atletico Madrid and Arsenal exchanged penalties in a 1-1 draw
in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, a gritty
encounter with plenty of intensity from start to finish even if it lacked the
fireworks of a nine-goal thriller in Paris.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain had edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in France in
Tuesday's semifinal.
Viktor Gykeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium by converting a
44th-minute penalty kick. Julin Alvarez equalized for Atletico --- also from
the penalty spot --- in the 56th.
Arsenal was awarded another penalty in the 78th after Eberechi Eze was brought
down by David Hancko inside the area, but the call was overturned --- several
moments later --- after a video review.
The second leg is in London next Tuesday, when both clubs will try to return to
the final after a long absence and earn a chance to win the European title for
the first time.
"Here you have to suffer. Many teams have suffered here, including some of the
best in the world," Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. "We had some good moments
in the match and moments where we had to suffer. The margins are very slim. We
are in an incredible position --- the semifinal of the Champions League. We
have to play in front of our people --- it's in our hands."
In the league phase of the competition, Arsenal routed Atletico 4-0 at the
Emirates Stadium.
Atletico last made it to the Champions League final in 2016, when it lost to
city rival Real Madrid.
"We tried," Atletico midfielder Koke Resurreccion said. "We started losing with
that penalty, which was doubtful, but the team recovered and we could equalize
with a penalty ourselves. We had the opportunities to win, but it will all be
decided in the second leg. I think we played a good match."
Gykeres broke the deadlock Wednesday from the penalty spot after he was
brought down inside the area by Hancko, who was a bit late to the ball and
slightly bumped the Arsenal striker from behind. The buildup came after
Atletico lost possession in attack.
"Overall I think it was a tough game, we know it's a tough place to come, but
it's only halftime," Gykeres said. "We know when we play at home, with our
fans, it's going to be different for sure and we just have to do our job, be at
our best, and for sure it's going to be a good game at home."
Arsenal last appeared in the final in 2006, when it lost to Barcelona.
Atletico's penalty came after a handball by Arsenal defender Ben White
following a shot by Marcos Llorente. The call came after a video review.
Alvarez converted the penalty with a firm shot for his 10th Champions League
goal this season. He had to be replaced later in the second half with an
apparent injury.
The penalty was Arsenal's first attempt on target, but both teams had exchanged
a few early chances. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had made a nice save on a
shot by Alvarez, and Martin Odegaard --- who also was later substituted --- had
his dangerous strike from inside the area blocked by Atletico defenders.
Alvarez led the Atletico attack early but the connection with Antoine Griezmann
and Ademola Lookman didn't work well until the second half.
Alvarez almost curled in a free-kick strike after the break, and both Lookman
and Griezmann had chances shortly afterward. Griezmann struck the post with a
shot in the 63rd. Lookman, who had been doubtful to start because of a muscle
injury, missed from close range later in the second half.
"We played a very good second half and had the chances to win the match,"
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.
Griezmann, who played his last Champions League match at home with Atletico,
was named the most valuable player. The France star will join MLS club Orlando
City this summer.
Many of the nearly 70,000 Atletico fans threw toilet paper from the stands
before the match at the Metropolitano, creating a curtain of white paper.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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