Arsenal were denied a first-leg win over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final as a Julian Alvarez penalty earned a 1-1 draw for the hosts in a game defined by refereeing controversy.
The Gunners were rewarded for a composed first-half display in the 44th minute when Viktor Gyokeres fired home from the spot after being bundled over by David Hancko.
Atletico were much the better side after the restart, though their equaliser came in contentious circumstances as Ben White was penalised for handball following a VAR review.
Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot for a third time after Eberechi Eze went over under another ill-advised Hancko challenge. However, the Dutch official surprisingly overturned his decision after being called to the pitchside monitor, leaving matters all square ahead of next Tuesday’s return leg in North London.
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Gyokeres gives Arsenal first-half lead
Atletico were the more threatening side in the opening stages but did not put Arsenal under as much pressure as coach Diego Simeone might have hoped.
Alvarez forced a fine save from David Raya after excellent work on the edge of the box and then saw a header fly narrowly over the crossbar.
However, Arsenal largely did a good job of containing their hosts amid a raucous atmosphere at the Metropolitano.
And they were gifted the lead by a dreadful error of judgement from Hancko, which Gyokeres ruthlessly punished with a penalty that had too much power for Jan Oblak.
Alvarez answers with controversial penalty
Simeone took off his son Giuliano for the second half, bringing on Robin Le Normand, and his side were considerably more dangerous.
Alvarez whipped a free-kick into the side-netting and, after the profligate Ademola Lookman had shot straight at Raya, Gabriel produced a brilliant block to keep out Antoine Griezmann’s follow-up.
But parity restored after Makkiele was sent to the monitor to check on a handball incident he did not see, Atletico’s players having vociferously appealed for handball after Marcos Llorente’s volley struck the right-back.
Makkiele pointed to the spot after looking at replays that showed the ball flick up onto White’s hand via his leg, and Alvarez smashed beyond Raya, who had stayed rooted in the middle of his goal.
Arsenal denied in VAR surprise
Griezmann then struck the crossbar with a wonderfully improvised effort and then saw his subsequent volley deflected wide, before Raya tipped over an Alvarez corner that looked to be dipping under the frame of the goal.
Lookman wasted a glorious opportunity by again shooting straight at Raya with the goal at his mercy and, after Alvarez left the field with an apparent injury, it looked as if it would be a painful night for Atletico following another Hancko error.
Makkiele awarded another penalty when Hancko was beaten to the ball by Eze, who went down after seemingly having his foot stepped on.
Replays showed minimal contact, but it was a significant surprise when Makkiele was again instructed to go to the screen and again changed his on-field decision.
Atletico weren’t able to make the most of that reprieve and Oblak was required to repel a Cristhian Mosquera effort, but the Rojiblancos will likely be satisfied with their position in the tie as they head to Emirates Stadium.
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