The first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Arsenal took the lead late in the first half when Viktor Gyökeres converted a penalty, but the Spanish side equalised in the second half through a spot kick from Julián Alvarez. The match was defined by tight defensive play and high tactical discipline from both managers.

Late drama unfolded when Arsenal appeared to have won a second penalty for a foul on Ebere Eze, but VAR overturned the decision after a lengthy review. This left Mikel Arteta visibly frustrated on the touchline as his team missed a chance to take a lead back to London. Despite several late attempts from both sides, neither could find a winning goal, leaving the tie wide open for the return leg.

The teams will meet again at the Emirates Stadium next week to decide who progresses to the final in Budapest. With the away goals rule no longer in effect, the winner-takes-all scenario promises an intense second leg. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain holds a slim one-goal advantage over Bayern Munich following their nine-goal thriller earlier this week.