Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Metropolitano. Viktor Gyokeres gave the Gunners the lead from the penalty spot before Julian Alvarez equalized with a controversial penalty awarded after a VAR review. A late penalty decision for Arsenal was overturned, leaving the tie poised ahead of the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal took the lead in the 44th minute when Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty after David Hancko fouled him in the box. Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot despite protests from Atletico players and the home crowd, with Gyokeres powering his shot past Jan Oblak into the bottom-left corner. Arsenal had contained Atletico's early threats, including saves from David Raya on Julian Alvarez efforts, amid a raucous atmosphere in Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico improved after the break, with Diego Simeone substituting his son Giuliano for Robin Le Normand. They leveled when Makkelie, after a VAR check, awarded a penalty for handball against Ben White following Marcos Llorente's volley. Alvarez smashed the kick down the middle as Raya stayed rooted, restoring parity in contentious circumstances. Arsenal were denied a second penalty late on when Makkelie overturned his on-field decision for a foul by Hancko on Eberechi Eze after reviewing pitchside footage. Atletico pressed but missed chances, including Ademola Lookman shooting straight at Raya and Antoine Griezmann hitting the crossbar. The result leaves everything to play for in next Tuesday's second leg in North London.
