Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman failed to find the net as Atlético Madrid and Arsenal shared a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
Arsenal, playing in back-to-back semi-finals for the first time, started cautiously against an Atlético side unbeaten in their last six knockout ties against English opposition. Early danger arrived when Julián Alvarez curled an effort goalwards, only for David Raya to tip the ball around the post.
The visitors grew into the game. Martin Ødegaard saw a strike blocked by Johnny Cardoso, while Noni Madueke fired wide from distance as Mikel Arteta’s side gained control.
Their pressure paid off before the break. Dávid Hancko clattered into Viktor Gyökeres in the box and the striker converted the resulting penalty, driving past Jan Oblak to give Arsenal the lead at half-time.
Atlético responded quickly after the restart. Lookman was denied from close range by Raya and the hosts soon won a penalty when Ben White was penalised for handball. Alvarez made no mistake from the spot, levelling the tie.
The home side pushed for a winner and Antoine Griezmann struck the bar with a delicate effort. Atlético continued to threaten but missed chances, including further opportunities for Lookman, proved costly. Arsenal thought they had a late chance to win it from another penalty after Hancko was judged to have tripped Eberechi Eze, but VAR overturned the decision.
The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of next week Tuesday’s return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
