Champions League

Arsenal reach Champions League final after controversial no-call denies Atlético Madrid

Arsenal are through to the Champions League final after beating Atlético Madrid 1-0 with a Saka goal just before halftime. The referee then took center stage by failing to award a clear penalty by Calafiori on Griezmann.

Paul Childs

Patricia Cazón David Nelson

Update: May 5th, 2026 18:05 EDT

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Atlético went down fighting, but they went down. This Champions League will belong to someone else. Its first finalist is Arsenal after a fiercely contested game decided by fine margins, all of them falling the English side’s way. In the finishing and in the officiating. Details where Atlético came up short. Others will get their hands on the trophy. Another trip to the Plaza de Neptuno, the square in Madrid where Atleti celebrate their trophies, is postponed, and Griezmann’s story ends without the frame it deserved. As the years pass, it is titles that define the effort. From this night, for Atlético, one name will linger above all: Daniel Siebert.

Simeone and Arteta’s line-ups

Arteta surprised by leaving Zubimendi on the bench and handing a start to Lewis-Skelly, whose inclusion against Fulham had worked so well. Ben White also started ahead of Mosquera, with the more attack-minded Calafiori preferred over the more conservative Hincapié, and Saka, that elusive, mercury-like talent, leading the line. Simeone left out Cardoso, shifting Llorente alongside Koke in midfield and reinforcing the back line with Le Normand and Pubill at fullback. At exactly 9:00 p.m local time., Julián kicked things off with his right foot. If his left ankle was bothering him, it did not show. On nights like this, the only thing that matters is being out there. Once the ball started rolling, it became a chess match of tactics, more caution than chaos.

Tactical discipline and minimal risk

The fireworks were reserved for the other semifinal. This one followed the script of the first leg: tactical discipline and minimal risk. A long game, to be decided on points. Arsenal moved the ball cautiously, almost afraid to take chances, probing for openings that did not come against an Atlético defense set deep and organized, with Hancko outstanding. Julián dropped into midfield to help build play. The first real chances came when Atlético stepped up its press, nearly catching Raya out. The first mark on the game came off the woodwork, as the keeper parried a Griezmann cross that Giuliano could only force wide under pressure.

Saka the man for Arsenal

Arsenal’s response came from a corner, almost a penalty for them: Saka found himself unmarked but headed poorly. Arteta’s side began to pin Atlético back, circulating the ball side to side but unable to break through a compact defense. Koke worked tirelessly, while Gyokeres, Trossard, and Saka struggled to find space. As halftime approached, the pattern was clear: Arsenal chasing corners, Atlético celebrating every goal kick. Raya was barely involved. Lookman squandered possession, and most of the action stayed in Atlético’s half. Arsenal kept gaining ground until Atlético finally cracked in the 44th minute.

A pass from Saliba to Gyokeres, slightly deflected by Hancko, disrupted Oblak’s positioning. As the Slovenian scrambled back, Gyokeres delivered a deep cross that Pubill cleared off the line, only for it to fall to Trossard. He took his time, shot low, and Oblak saved with his hand. But the rebound dropped to Saka, who had the simplest of finishes. Goal. 2-1 on aggregate. Budapest for Arsenal. Atlético, as in the first leg, now needed a comeback.

Arsenal reach Champions League final after controversial no-call denies Atlético Madrid — SakaPaul Childs

Atlético demand a penalty

Atlético returned with a higher press, echoing their approach in Madrid. Now it was Atlético pushing Arsenal back, with Pubill involved in everything from fullback. He cleared, advanced, battled, and drove forward. Giuliano won the ball and drove into the box, but swung at air under pressure from Gabriel when the move needed a finish. He appealed for a penalty, but the referee, quick to whistle minor fouls, especially against Atlético, waved it off. Four minutes later, it was Griezmann demanding a penalty after a clear stamp from Calafiori brought him down. But the referee had already called a foul by Pubill on Gabriel, one that did not exist, and VAR did not intervene. The system was meant to prevent mistakes like this. Instead, they once again suffocated Atlético’s hopes in the Champions League.

Arsenal going to Budapest

Gyokeres then blazed over from a one-on-one as Julián signaled for a substitution. His ankle could not hold up any longer. Griezmann also came off. By the 66th minute, Simeone had used all five substitutions, while Saka’s night was over. Arteta made three changes: Hincapié, Madueke, and Ødegaard. Arsenal were held together by an outstanding Rice. Atlético lost clarity in attack, rushed and short on time, despite Llorente’s tireless efforts and a front line of Baena, Sorloth, and Nahuel trying to find a breakthrough.

Arsenal had its advantage and now protected it with Budapest in sight. Sorloth had a chance to force extra time but got tangled up in the box when he only needed to shoot after a perfect pass from Baena. The chance slipped away, the ball went nowhere. And that is where Atlético ends up again, out of the Champions League. Checkmate.

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