In the definition of the first finalist of the Champions League, Arsenal managed to unblock a close match against Atlético de Madrid and reached the final with a 2-1 aggregate in the series. The colchoneros had the tie at the feet of Giuliano Simeone with an unbeatable opportunity to tie the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The only goal was Bukayo Sakafor victory 1-0 for the English team.
The development of the first half showed a team led by Diego Simeone retreated, with very close lines and an intense defensive occupation near its own area. Giuliano fulfilled hybrid functions on the wing, with a constant retreat, almost lateral at times, while Julian Alvarezthe two Argentines from the beginning, remained as an almost exclusive offensive reference in the exit attempts.
Arsenal took center stage from the beginning based on possession and circulation. The set of Mikel Arteta He looked for width on the wings and tried to find spaces against a low block that reduced the paths to the goal defended by Jan Oblak. With patience, the local team maintained the territorial pressure and generated approaches that demanded the last visiting line.
The opening of the scoring came at 44 minutes. After an auction of Leandro TrossardOblak rebounded and Saka appeared in the area to push the ball and open the scoring. The goal sparked celebration in London and also on the substitutes’ bench, where Arteta celebrated with his assistant, Gabriel Heinze.
With that goal, the English team went on to dominate the series 2-1 on aggregate. Atlético de Madrid, which had managed to maintain a tie for much of the initial stage, was forced to modify its approach for the second half in search of equality that would allow it to get back into the discussion for a place in the final.
At the beginning of the second half, at 51 minutes, the action occurred that altered the axis of the match. After a headbutt back from William Salibathe ball was at the mercy of Giuliano Simeone inside the area. The Argentine controlled with precision and decided to elude the goalkeeper with a touch from above to the side, which left the goal free. However, at the moment of the definition he did not finish first and, in the subsequent attempt, he failed to contact the ball. Gabriel Magalhães He arrived on time, imposed the body and cleared. The play, without opposition from the goalkeeper, represented the tie for Atlético de Madrid in a situation that is difficult to explain.
Arsenal also came close to equalizing in the 65th minute, with an action that bordered on the unusual. After a center of the admitted Piero Hincapié, Viktor Gyökeres He appeared in the middle of the area without a mark and with the goal available to push it. However, the ball was high for him and he was unable to give it direction: his definition went over the crossbar in a play that seemed determined to extend the advantage.
Before that situation, the Spanish team had claimed a penalty in an offensive that featured Antoine Griezmann. The French forward defined, David Raya contained and, after the rebound, intervened again inside the area, where he received a stomp from Riccardo Calafiori when I was trying to hook. Neither the referee nor the VAR sanctioned the infringement, which generated protests on the visiting bench. A few minutes later, he was replaced by the Ecuadorian full-back.
The result was unchanged in the final stretch and Arsenal sealed the victory that allowed them to advance to the Champions League final with a 2-1 aggregate score. The English team capitalized on their moments and maintained the advantage against Atlético de Madrid.
The elimination represents a blow to Simeone’s cycle, which was close to reversing the series, although it was conditioned by the wasted opportunities in the second half. On the other hand, the team led by Mikel Arteta It awaits its rival in the definition, which will emerge from the cross between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
