Arsenal with Swedish Viktor Gyökeres defeated Atlético Madrid over two legs to reach the Champions League final. Gyökeres becomes the first Swede in a men's final in 20 years. The final is set for Budapest on May 30.
Arsenal defeated Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-final over two legs. The first leg in Madrid ended 1–1 with penalty goals from both sides, where Viktor Gyökeres scored for Arsenal. The return leg in London on Tuesday evening was won 1–0 as Bukayo Saka scored on a rebound from Gyökeres' cross just before halftime.
The match was tight. Atlético pressed early with a dangerous cross from Antoine Griezmann, but without payoff. Arsenal controlled with methodical play and sought a penalty in the 34th minute after a challenge on Leandro Trossard by Griezmann, but the referee waved play on. In the second half, Gyökeres missed a big chance with his right foot.
Gyökeres, who scored four goals in the league phase, is the sixth Swede in a CL final since 1992/93. The last were Henrik Larsson and Fredrik Ljungberg in the 2006 final, where Barcelona beat Arsenal 2–1. Previous Swedes include Patrik Andersson, Joachim Björklund and Jesper Blomqvist.
Arsenal will face the winner of Bayern München–Paris Saint-Germain in the Budapest final on May 30. PSG leads 5–4 ahead of the return leg.