Champions League semi-finals
Penalty turmoil in a draw between Atlético and Arsenal
Updated April 29, 2026 – 11:16 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In the second Champions League semi-final, goals only come from the penalty spot. The referee Danny Makkelie is the focus of attention several times.
Not a goal spectacle, but still exciting: Atlético Madrid and Arsenal London kept all possibilities open for a place in the final of the premier class with a 1-1 draw in the Champions League semi-final. Viktor Gyökeres (44th minute) and Julian Alvarez (56th) each scored from the penalty spot.
At Atlético there is great concern about top scorer Álvarez. The Argentine had to be substituted injured after 77 minutes. A loss in the second leg next Tuesday (9 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) would be a bitter loss for the Spaniards. The 26-year-old set a new club record with ten goals in a Champions League season on Wednesday evening.
Both teams have never won the Champions League, so their desires are huge. Above all with Atlético idol Antoine Griezmann. Before his 97th Champions League game for the Madrilenians, the former world champion from France appeared tense. Not without reason: it was Griezmann’s last European Cup home game for the club he loves. The 35-year-old will move to Orlando in the USA in the summer.
However, the attacker, who was good at dribbling and passing, did not initially pose much of a threat. Neither did his teammates – with the exception of a shot from Álvarez (14th), which required Arsenal keeper David Raya to stretch a lot.
The guests from London, with whom Kai Havertz reportedly didn’t even make the trip to Madrid, didn’t allow much and remained offensively dangerous. Like shortly before half-time, when Gyökeres went down after a challenge against David Hancko – penalty, even after a VAR decision. Dazn expert Nils Petersen didn’t agree with the penalty whistle: “For me it’s a bit too little for a Champions League semi-final.” Nevertheless, he praised the attacker for his move: “He accepts the gift.” The Swedish attacker powerfully converted the penalty.
The situation was much clearer in the 54th minute. Arsenal’s Ben White clearly blocked a shot with his hand. After VAR’s advice, the referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty, Alvarez converted safely.
Atlético then missed the best opportunity to take the lead and hit the crossbar. Shortly before the end, the referee was once again the focus. He took back another penalty whistle for Arsenal after VAR advice and looking at the pictures (79th). Dazn expert Petersen also had little understanding for this decision. “The fact that he is sent out for this is crazy. There is contact, it’s little, but then as an offensive player you have to pull him.” Hancko had previously hit Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze on the foot again.
