Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid LIVE: Intense first half! (0-0) 2026 UEFA Champions League semifinals second leg

Arsenal are currently in much better form, dominating possession and forcing Atletico Madrid to retreat deep into their defensive shell.

Gabriel found a pocket of space and unleashed a powerful low drive from distance that went just wide of Oblak's post!

Following a deep corner kick, Bukayo Saka found himself unmarked at the far post, but his strike sailed wide of the target.

Following a brilliant team move, Griezmann whipped a dangerous cross into the box for Simeone, who looked certain to score until Declan Rice came up with a massive block to deny the strike.

Giuliano Simeone found Julian Alvarez following a cross, but the Argentine's shot went wide of the post.

Arsenal are dominating possession in the early stages, but they have struggled to break through and create clear-cut chances. Atletico Madrid remain characteristically well-organized in their defensive block, effectively neutralizing the hosts' threat even as they struggle to win back the ball.

The game between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid is underway!

Players from both teams are on the field for the Champions League anthem. Everything is ready for the start of the match!

Arsenal remain on a quest to conquer Europe for the first time in club history. Arsenal's only previous appearance in a Champions League final came 20 years ago in 2006, when they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Stade de France in Paris.

Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli won't start today the game at Emirates Stadium. While German and the Norwegian have recently recovered from injuries, Arteta opted to leave them on the bench. As for the Brazilian forward, the Spanish manager went with Leandro Trossard instead in a purely tactical move.

Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at the Emirates Stadium!

Arsenal remain firmly on the path to becoming one of the few unbeaten winners in UEFA Champions League history. So far this season, the Gunners have been dominant, boasting a record of 10 wins and 3 draws. They have a legitimate chance to become only the 12th club in the history of the competition to lift the trophy without suffering a single loss.

Atletico's starting XI: Jan Oblak; Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Robin Le Normand, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Marcos Llorente, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.

Arsenal's starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori; Myles Lewis-Skelly Declan Rice; Buyako Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard; Victor Gyokeres.

Daniel Siebert has been appointed to officiate the clash between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. He will be joined on the field by Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.

Full officiating team:

• Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER)
• Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel (GER)
• Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn (GER)
• Fourth official: Tobias Stieler (GER)
• VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid will get underway at the Emirates Stadium at 3:00 PM (ET).

Fubo will be the primary option to watch Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid in the USA. The others options to enjoy the game are: DirecTV Stream, Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, CBS, Univision, TUDN and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog of the 2026 UEFA Champions League! Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in their second leg of the semifinals, after a 1-1 draw at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!