Arsenal 1-0 Atlético Madrid (agg 2-1): Champions League semi-final, second leg – as it happened | Champions League
Key events
David Hytner was at the Emirates tonight. Here’s his report. Congratulations to Arsenal, who will compete in the 2026 Champions League final; commiserations to Atlético Madrid, so close and yet so far once again; and thanks to you for reading this MBM. Over to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow night. Another nine-goal thriller, please!
A very smiley Mikel Arteta – and good on him for enjoying the moment – gives a lovely, sweet interview to Amazon Prime: “It’s an amazing night … to live this kind of moment with our people is an incredible feeling … it makes sense of a lot of the things we do … to see so many happy faces … it was unbelievable from the very beginning … the supporters set the standard and we try to catch up with them … the pride in their eyes is beautiful to watch … the togetherness … I apologised (to the players left out of the starting XI) but they said ‘I am here when you need me’ … they gave me a hug … (Viktor Gyökeres) was immense … his work-rate was just incredible … he was the first to set the tone, the rhythm … let’s go for it!”
Post-match postbag. “I have to say that in Europe Arsenal have looked very good. Yes, they may not have the Joie de Vivre of PSG or the fantastic front line of Bayern Munich but they are a solid bunch and it would be fantastic to see them win it. Earlier this season I said Miles Lewis-Skelly looked out of his depth and going backwards in his development but he was excellent tonight and showed what an amateur I am at identifying talent” – Tony Mason
“Well, that was heart-warming. Now, where are my blood pressure pills for tomorrow’s heart stopper?” – Justin Kavanagh
“I suppose I’m pleased an English club is in the Champions League final. Pity it had to be Arsenal. On the bright side, Saka got a goal which bodes well for England in the World Cup. And it is comforting to think Arsenal are going to get torn apart by either PSG or Bayern” – Colum Fordham
Rice adds: “You have to watch tomorrow night … may the best team win, whoever gets there.”
… and as for the weekend: “Without West Ham there is no me … a lot of people pushed me on … it’s not nice to see them in the position they are in … but that is football … may the best team win.”
Declan Rice speaks to Amazon Prime: “It is chaos in the dressing room … the most prestigious tournament in club football … we are just trying to soak it all in … we knew what was at stake … once we went 1-0 up I knew we was going to win … you felt something special building … our manager this year has been tough on (Myles Lewis-Skelly) behind the scenes … he has kept his head down … now he’s got his chance and has taken it … he’s so good … where this club has come from … what we’ve been building … the narrow losses … the things that hurt you as a player … we kept pushing each other … we’ve gone full throttle and find ourselves in a very good position … it’s all to play for … it’s a funny one because we are in the Champions League final (but) Sunday (against West Ham) is a massive one and we have to focus on that too … I am a strong believer in knowing what this team is capable of.”
Arsenal are now three games away from their first Premier League title in 22 years … and another one match away from their first European Cup ever. Simply on the evidence of last week’s match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, they’ll be underdogs in the Budapest final, which will be played on Saturday 30 May. But not by as much as you may think, given the Gunners are the only team still undefeated in this year’s tournament, have yet to concede a goal from open play in the knockout phase, and have only lost two of their last 24 Champions League matches. Admittedly both of those defeats were against PSG, 1-0 and 2-1 in the semis last season, but then they beat Bayern 3-1 in this season’s league phase back in November, so it’s swings and roundabouts. Whatever, they can park this for few weeks, and concentrate on West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace. Three wins, and they’re guaranteed to become champions of England. And then … well, it’s a good time to be a Gunner.
Brief post-match celebration soundtrack observation. Freed From Desire > North London Forever.
The match-winner Bukayo Saka speaks to Amazon Prime: “You are taking me away from the celebrations, man! … you can see what it means to us … to the fans … this was a high-pressure game … we managed it well and it takes us to the final … the fans pushed us and they’ve got this moment, and we’ll celebrate it together … sometimes it bounces for you … I was there and I got my goal … now we are in the final and we are fighting for the Premier League … another step forward … it’s a beautiful story and I hope it ends well in Budapest!”
Arsenal cavort in delight to a man! The Emirates erupts! This famous old club are going to their second Champions League final! They’ll play either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in a Budapest showdown at the end of May! Diego Simeone, so irate seconds earlier, deflates, as do his players. Another close miss for the Madrid nearly men. But tonight is all about Arsenal, who dug in and ground out a famous victory! The team hold hands and race towards their fans as one! Their manager Mikel Arteta perhaps the fastest of them all! Party time at the Emirates!
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid (agg 2-1)
The whistle goes! Arsenal are going to Budapest!
90 min +6: Now both benches empty as the row continues. But when it all calms down …
90 min +5: Koke is booked for nudging Martinelli towards the Arsenal bench, which briefly threatens to empty. Calafiori is booked too.
90 min +4: Arteta continues a philosophical back-and-forth with the Atleti bench. The rain comes down, and the clock ticks on. Arsenal so very close now!
90 min +3: … and now Mikel Arteta is booked for excessive touchline drama.
90 min +2: The Arsenal fans are giving it plenty. Quite a few tears in the Atletico Madrid end. Diego Simeone none too happy either, as Raya faffs around over another by-kick. The keeper is booked.
90 min +1: Nothing much is happening, and they’re four minutes away now. “Swansea City legend Gyorkeres coming out on top against Cardiff City legend Alexander Sorloth,” observes Matt Dony. “The grudge match we didn’t know we needed.”
90 min: The board goes up. Arsenal are a minimum of five additional minutes away from the Budapest final!
89 min: Álex Baena shoots from 35 yards. It’s a decent enough effort, given the distance, but it’s always sailing well over the bar. Raya won’t rush to take the resulting by-kick. (Hats off to Ally McCoist for getting that one trending again.)
88 min: The Emirates is absolutely buzzing. The nerves are palpable, but the fans are doing their best to haul their heroes over the line. It’s been quite some effort all round.
87 min: In fact, Sørloth almost managed to kick that ball behind him and up the seat of his own pants. Not sure how he did it, but if he can work it out, that’ll be a good party trick going forward.
86 min: Rice’s delivery is good, a dangerous loop to the back post. Gabriel is there, but can’t get a proper header away, whiffing weakly wide right. A big chance. And then another big chance, up the other end, Alex Baena crossing low from the left for Sørloth, who has the opportunity to shoot from the penalty spot but gets his legs all of a tangle. He scuffs the ball against himself, and an extremely inviting opportunity passes by.
85 min: Martinelli’s first act is to run at Llorente down the left, winning a corner for his trouble. Rice to take.
84 min: Trossard, who has put in a good shift tonight, and had a huge part to play in what looks like being the decisive goal, is replaced by Martinelli. He receives the warm ovation he deserves.
83 min: Gyökeres is midway through spinning away from Pubill when he’s hauled down. A booking, the first of the match. And a check for a red card. But there were covering defenders. Just a free kick, which Ødegaard swings into a crowded box. Saliba heads harmlessly over.
81 min: Llorente digs out a cross from the right. Raya is forced to tip away from the lurking Sørloth. The ball’s half cleared. Madueke gives up possession cheaply and Atleti come again. The ball’s worked right to Llorente, who shoots towards the bottom right. But there’s no oomph behind the shot, and it’s easy for Raya.
79 min: Oblak kicks long and flat, hoping to release Sørloth down the middle. Saliba reads the danger and intercepts. Arsenal work the ball down the right, Ødegaard hanging up a cross for Oblak to claim. And the famous clock up above the goal ticks on.
77 min: Almada finds a spot of space down the left. He whips into the centre but Raya claims confidently, though he accidentally kicks Gabriel on the ear while doing so. Nothing too sore, by the looks of it, but it’s an excuse to go down and eat up some of those precious seconds. Budapest within touching distance now.
75 min: Álex Baena advances down the left and wins a corner off White. Arsenal deal with the set play aggressively, clearing to halfway, but the ball’s worked back down the left for Álex Baena again. A cross nearly finds Sørloth in the middle, but the big striker clanks into the nearest defender and concedes a pressure-releasing free kick. On the touchline, Diego Simeone continues to pogo around in a mixture of irritation and mild panic. Time is running out for his men. The clock will be turning a lot more slowly for Arsenal, to be fair.
74 min: Lewis-Skelly goes down … then gets up and receives a warm ovation as he departs. He’s replaced by Zubimendi.
72 min: … and is eventually worked towards Madueke on the right, but his attempted cross is sliced out of play for a goal kick.
71 min: Gyökeres keeps running and pressing, despite that big miss, and his efforts win his team another corner. This will come in from the left …
69 min: White latches onto a loose ball 30 yards out, and pings a low shot wide right. This game is opening up again. “Forget Tom Waits,” insists Evan Doll. “I think of Diego Simeone as looking like Oracle CEO Larry Ellison’s slightly more unkempt, slightly less successful little brother.”
67 min: Griezmann is finally replaced, along with Alvarez. On come Álex Baena and Thiago Almada.
66 min: Arsenal are this close to doubling their lead. And it would have been a fine goal. Hincapie is sent striding down the left at speed by Odegaard, and whips a first-time cross into the centre. Gyökeres arrives, meets the ball on the penalty spot … and clears the bar by inches. He has to score. Has to. And reacts by covering his mouth, but not in trademark celebration style.
