Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid (2-1): Bukayo Saka’s only goal just before the half-time break helped the Gunners reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Arsenal head to Budapest (Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 and advanced to the Champions League final. They secured a dramatic 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week, leaving them well-positioned for the second leg against the raucous Emirates.
The scorer was Bukayo Saka, wearing the captain’s armband in his second start since returning from injury, and was the first to react to Leandro Trossard’s shot, which was saved by Jan Oblak. There was also an appeal for offside, but Saka positioned himself behind Atlético’s last defender before scoring the tap-in.
Arsenal then defended resolutely to stop wave after wave of attacks and could have gone even further had Victor Gokeres converted a clear-cut chance. But one goal was enough as Mikel Arteta’s side defeated Diego Simeone and earned a ticket to Budapest to face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
Player ratings by Emirates are as follows:
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David Raya – 7
His kicking hasn’t been very good in recent weeks, but he made some top saves.
Ben White – 6
He’s not back to his best yet, but he’s gradually improving and the quality of his balls is improving.
William Saliba – 6
Luckily I avoided just one big mistake, a backheader, but I was let off.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 8
Made a sensational goal-saving challenge and relieved his defensive partner.
Riccardo Calafioli – 7
Good with the ball, his selection against Hincapie showed offensive intent.
Eberechi Eze – 6
OK, I put in a shift, but things didn’t happen. Added subtitles before the hour
Declan Rice – 9
Covered every blade of grass. His drive and determination were amazing.
Who was your Man of the Match? Let us know your choice in the comments section.
Declan Rice was outstanding – just like he was in Madrid last Wednesday (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Miles Lewis-Skelly – 8
This was the biggest selection result and he once again rewarded Arteta’s faith. wonderful.
Bukayozaka – 8
The epitome of a big-time player. Captain, goalscorer and inspiration.
Victor Gokeres – 8
They were great on Saturday, but started to come alive as the game progressed. His shot led to the first goal.
Leandro Trossard – 8
This one looks more like that. We played well again. Although he worked tirelessly and contributed, he missed a huge opportunity.
Miles Lewis-Skelly has been unexpectedly inserted into the starting XI (Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
substitute
Odegaard for Eze, 58 minutes – 6
Maduke to Saka, 58 minutes – 6
Hincapie to Calafiori, 58 minutes – 7
Zvimendi, Lewis Skelly, 74 minutes – 6
Martinelli, Trossard, 83 minutes – 6
Unused subs: Arrizabalaga, Thetford, Mosquera, Norgaard, Dauman, Salmon, Havertz, Jesus.
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Pouville, Le Normand (Molina, 57 minutes), Hanko, Ruggeri. Simeone (Sorloth, 57 minutes), Koke, Llorente, Lookman (Cardoso, 57 minutes). Griezmann (Baena, 67 minutes), Alvarez (Almada, 67 minutes)
Unused subs: Musso, Lenglet, Bonnard, Jimenez, Diaz, Vargas, Mendoza.
Man of the Match: Declan Rice.
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