Shot Football

Arsenal edge Atletico Madrid to reach Champions League final after 20-year wait

ShotShot5 May 2026, 20:54
Arsenal edge Atletico Madrid to reach Champions League final after 20-year wait

Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, sealing a 2–1 aggregate victory and returning to the competition’s showpiece for the first time since 2006.

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final took place at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid, where the Gunners secured a 1–0 victory to book their place in the final.

The first half was a relatively low-chance affair, although Arsenal held a slight edge in possession and territory. Their pressure eventually paid off right on the stroke of half-time. Leandro Trossard’s effort was only parried by Jan Oblak, and captain Bukayo Saka reacted quickest to slot home the rebound and give the hosts the lead.

In the second half, Atlético started on the front foot, pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal’s disciplined and well-organised defence stood firm and denied them any clear openings. As the game progressed, the Gunners regained control and managed the tempo effectively, limiting Diego Simeone’s side to few meaningful chances.

Arsenal held on to their narrow advantage, sealing a 2–1 aggregate victory over the two legs. With this result, they secured their place in the final in Budapest, reaching the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years. Their previous appearance came in 2006, when they suffered a 2–1 defeat to Barcelona and missed out on the trophy.