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By Kevin Hand and Adam Hancock
Published On 29 Apr 2026

This page is now closed, but a summary of the game is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.

5 May 2026 - 18:13
 (18:13 GMT)

How did Atletico reach the semifinals?

Atletico Madrid sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League and reached the final four with a 3-2 aggregate victory, despite a 2-1 quarterfinal second-leg defeat.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes, but Ademola Lookman’s strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie after their 2-0 win in the first leg.

29 Apr 2026 - 22:11
 (22:11 GMT)

Goodbye for now

Thanks for joining our live coverage of Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal in the Champions League.

We anticipated a tight match, and we got one, as the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Madrid.

Stay with us for live coverage of the second leg next week, as we discover the lineup for this year’s final in Budapest.

Until then, from me, Adam Hancock, and my colleague, Kevin Hand, goodbye.

29 Apr 2026 - 22:05
 (22:05 GMT)

Up next for Al Jazeera sport

Barcelona are closing in on the La Liga title and face Osasuna at Camp Nou on Saturday.

We will bring you live coverage of that game, which kicks off at 9pm local time (19:00 GMT).

We’ll also be back next week with minute-by-minute commentary on the second legs of the Champions League semifinals.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:52
 (21:52 GMT)

Spot kick sensation

29 Apr 2026 - 21:50
 (21:50 GMT)

‘We want to reach the final’

More reaction from the Atletico Madrid camp as player of the match, Antoine Griezmann, gives his view on the match:

“We played better in the second half. We also played with more intensity. That’s the way to go, and that’s what we’ll do in the second leg – it’ll be a great game.”

On if Atleti can make the final: “We want to reach the final. I’ve prepared a lot for this match and the one in London, and hopefully we can make it to the final.”

29 Apr 2026 - 21:44
 (21:44 GMT)

‘It will all come down to the second leg’

Atleti captain Koke has been giving his reaction to Movistar+:

“We gave it our best shot. We started off on the back foot. We had chances to win, but it will all come down to the second leg. They defend very well and have some very fast players up front.”

On how Atleti played after levelling the scores: “We failed to close out the game with the chances we had.”

29 Apr 2026 - 21:40
 (21:40 GMT)
29 Apr 2026 - 21:34
 (21:34 GMT)

‘I am extremely disappointed and annoyed’

A visibly annoyed Mikel Arteta has been giving his reaction to TNT Sports. He started by summing up his emotions around Arsenal’s second penalty being overturned:

“I am extremely disappointed and annoyed as it was against the rules, and I don’t understand it, and it changes the course of the tie.

“The whole sequence tells its story, it’s clear contact. The referee makes the decision, and you cannot overturn the decision … at this level, it is unacceptable.”

On whether the fans and Diego Simeone influenced the referee: “I don’t know, that is an answer for him [Simeone], but obviously it is a wrong decision, and it changes the course of the tie.”

On Atleti’s penalty: “It is the rule, and they have been quite consistent for that. And on that one, you can accept it. I have nothing to say on that.”

On his message to his players ahead of the second leg: “It is halfway, we are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people, it is in our hands, and now we have to recover and then look at Fulham.”

29 Apr 2026 - 21:26
 (21:26 GMT)
29 Apr 2026 - 21:21
 (21:21 GMT)

‘I don’t know why they turned it down’: Gyokeres on Arsenal’s second penalty being overturned

The Arsenal goalscorer has been giving his reaction to TNT Sports:

“In the first half, we controlled the game quite well and had a few good opportunities to score. We then managed to score out of one of them. And then in the second half, they started much better. They got a goal, and then towards the end we got a few chances, but overall it was a tough game, a tough place to come.”

On Arsenal’s second penalty being overturned: “I don’t know why they turned it down. It looks like contact, but it is their decision.”

On the second leg next week: “We know when we play at home with our fans it will be different for sure, and we just have to do our job and be at our best, and for sure it is going to be a good game.”

29 Apr 2026 - 21:20
 (21:20 GMT)

Read all about it: Our Atletico-Arsenal report is now live

Click here to read our full match report following the controversial first leg in Spain.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:15
 (21:15 GMT)

VAR takes centre stage

All of the post-match discussion will centre around the use of VAR this evening.

It was involved in all of the penalty decisions, most notably the decision not to award a second penalty to Arsenal.

The referee pointed to the spot after Hancko and Eze both went for a ball in the box, but after a long conversation with VAR, he headed over to the screen and changed his decision.

There was clearly contact between both players, but the officials decided that it wasn’t enough for the award of a spot kick.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:10
 (21:10 GMT)

Home advantage for Arsenal

Arsenal will be slightly disappointed not to be taking a lead back to the Emirates next week.

But they can still be confident heading into the second leg of this tie, as they have already won against Atleti at home this season.

The two sides met in the Champions League group stage back in October, and the Gunners ran out 4-0 winners following a devastating 13-minute spell in the second half.

Plenty to ponder for Diego Simeone as he returns to North London.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:09
 (21:09 GMT)
29 Apr 2026 - 21:05
 (21:05 GMT)
29 Apr 2026 - 21:02
 (21:02 GMT)

All to play for next week

All of the talk will be about the penalties that were and weren’t given this evening.

Both teams scored from the spot, and Arsenal were awarded a second penalty before VAR stepped in and sent the referee over to the screen.

A draw was probably a fair result this evening, but the game will be overshadowed by the decisions the officials made.

29 Apr 2026 - 20:59
 (20:59 GMT)

Full-time

No late winners in this one as the match finishes all-square in Madrid.

It’s nicely poised ahead of next week’s second leg in London.

Full-time: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

29 Apr 2026 - 20:57
 (20:57 GMT)

Clock ticks down

Into the final minute in Madrid.

Atletico have looked the more likely to grab a late goal. Can they break down the Gunners defence?

90+7 mins: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

29 Apr 2026 - 20:55
 (20:55 GMT)

Chances for Atleti

Nervy moments for Arsenal as they struggle to deal with a long ball flung into the box.

Baena gets up and heads the ball towards the back post, but Lookman can’t make contact to grab a late goal.

Moments later, Molina catches one really well as he fires an effort at goal from outside the area.

The ball just clears the bar.

90+5 mins: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

29 Apr 2026 - 20:52
 (20:52 GMT)

Seven minutes added on

Those lengthy VAR checks all add up.

Can either side nick a winner in stoppage time?

90+1 mins: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal

Match Summary

 

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