Champions League semi-final: Arsenal held to draw by Atletico in first leg as late penalty overturned

Arsenal had a late penalty controversially overturned following a VAR check in a pulsating 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot for the third time in the game when Eberechi Eze went down following a challenge by David Hancko in the 78th minute but changed his decision after being sent to the monitor and deeming the contact insufficient.

Viktor Gyokeres had earlier blasted Arsenal in front from the spot, having been pushed over by the same Atletico player, but Atletico responded through Julian Alvarez’s penalty after Ben White was penalised for handball following another VAR check.

Arsenal, aiming to reach the Champions League final for only the second time in their history, controlled the first half but had to withstand an Atletico onslaught at the start of the second.

The excellent Alvarez sent a free-kick just wide, Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar, and Ademola Lookman shot straight at David Raya when he should have scored from the centre of the box.

Atletico then lost the excellent Alvarez to an apparent injury as Arsenal regained control of the match and appeared to have been handed the chance to go in front when Eze went to ground inside the box and the referee signalled towards the spot again.

The home fans roared their approval when the decision was overturned but Arsenal continued to apply pressure as substitute Cristhian Mosquera stung the palms of Jan Oblak from the edge of the box.

Arsenal will reflect that the night could have gone better for them in light of the third penalty decision, but the draw ensures a positive result for the Gunners to take back to London for next week’s second leg as vie to face Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.