Atletico Madrid secure valuable 1-1 draw vs Arsenal in Champions League semifinal first leg

Atletico Madrid secured an important result at home and you lived every moment with Bolavip!

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal drew 1-1!

Molina tried with a powerful strike that sailed just wide from Raya's crossbar!

The referee added seven more minutes.

Johnny Cardoso was replaced by Nahuel Molina.

Ben White was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera.

After a VAR review, the referee decided not to give a penalty for Arsenal.

David Hancko received a yellow card.

Julian Alvarez was replaced by Alex Baena.

The referee awarded a penalty for Arsenal after a foul on Eze!

Ademola Lookman found the ball right in the heart of the box, but he couldn't get enough power behind the strike, allowing David Raya to make the save.

Atletico Madrid are pouring forward in search of a second goal, looking to fully capitalize on the home-field advantage and secure a favorable result to take back to England for the return leg next week.

Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres were replaced by Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.

Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, and he nearly buried the rebound, but his follow-up took a deflection off a defender and trickled out for a corner.

Martin Odegaard was replaced by Eberechi Eze.

Julian Alvarez scores the equalizer!

After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty for Atletico Madrid!

David Raya came up huge to deny Lookman’s initial strike, and on the rebound, Antoine Griezmann looked certain to equalize, but his shot took a deflection off Gabriel and spun out for a corner!

Julian Alvarez nearly found the equalizer with a fantastic free kick that whistled just wide of the post.

Giuliano Simeone was replaced by Robin Le Normand.

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are already playing the second half!

It has been a hard-fought first half at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, featuring two highly tactical sides focused on giving nothing away in these opening 45 minutes.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between, but just as it seemed both teams would head into the break scoreless, the referee awarded a penalty to Arsenal following a foul on Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede forward stepped up to take the spot-kick himself, clinicaly converting to give Arsenal a massive 1-0 lead away from home.

The game goes to halftime.

Viktor Gyokeres scores the opener of the game!

The referee awarded a penalty for Arsenal after a foul on Gyokeres.

Despite a lack of clear-cut scoring chances, it’s the Gunners who are consistently threatening the opposing goal and showing more initiative in the attacking third.

The hosts are pressing high and occasionally winning the ball to launch attacks. However, they have yet to find the finishing touch on any of their offensive possessions.

Madueke tried with a long rage shot from outside the box, but his effort went just wide of Oblak's post!

After a cross from Ruggeri, Alvarez tried with a header but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

The match has hit a bit of a stalemate with very little action as both sides prioritize defensive stability over risk-taking. It has transformed into a tactical battle for possession in the middle of the field, with neither team willing to commit an error that could compromise the tie.

The hosts are beginning to find their rhythm, and it's showing in the possession stats—Atletico are currently controlling the ball with 61% of the play compared to Arsenal’s 39%.

Julian Alvarez unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, but David Raya produced a fantastic save to tip it away for a corner kick.

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

After a brilliant piece of skill on the wing, Noni Madueke whipped a dangerous cross into the box and Piero Hincapie managed to connect with the ball, but his effort went just over the crossbar.

The game between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal is underway!

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

Mikel Arteta decided not to start Bukayo Saka as the English star is still finding his rhythm after a grueling injury layoff. The forward remains on a day-to-day recovery plan as Arsenal prioritize his long-term match fitness.

Danny Makkelie has been appointed to officiate the clash between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal. He will be joined on the field by Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.

Full officiating team:

• Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)
• Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
• Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (NED)
• Fourth official: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED)
• VAR: Dennis Higler (NED)

Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano!

Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber won't play today for Arsenal as they are sidelined with injuries. The German forward missed the trip after failing to recover fully from a groin issue, while the Dutch defender continues dealing with a muscular setback.

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

Arsenal's starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie; Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Noni Madueke,  Victor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal will get underway at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano at 3:00 PM (ET).

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

Welcome to our live blog of the 2026 UEFA Champions League. Atletico Madrid host Arsenal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in their first leg of the semifinals!

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