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Saka sends Arsenal to the 2026 Champions League final
Arsenal are in the Champions League final for the first time in twenty years. A Bukayo Saka rebound goal just before half-time was enough to see off an Atlético Madrid side that offered almost nothing in attack, and Arsenal will face either PSG or Bayern Munich in Budapest on 30 May.
Match result
| Match | Result | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid | 1–0 | Arsenal advance 2–1 |
Arsenal dominant, Atlético toothless
From the first whistle, the Emirates was roaring and Arsenal were the dominant force. Declan Rice threw himself in front of a low Antoine Griezmann cross to prevent an early Atlético chance, but that was a rare moment of danger from the visitors. Arsenal controlled possession — finishing with 66% of the ball and outshooting Atlético seven to one — and it was only a matter of time before the pressure told.
It told on 44 minutes. Viktor Gyökeres drove into the area and pulled the ball back, Leandro Trossard unleashed a shot that Jan Oblak could only parry, and Saka was there to tap home the rebound. It was Saka's ninth goal in fourteen home Champions League appearances — and arguably his most important. The North London crowd erupted.
Atlético unable to find a way through
Atlético needed to score, and Diego Simeone reshaped his side in the second half. Giuliano Simeone went close early in the half but William Saliba's interception denied him, with the VAR confirming no foul. Simeone then made a bold and surprising double substitution, withdrawing both Julián Álvarez and the veteran Antoine Griezmann on 67 minutes. At 35 years old and heading to Orlando City this summer after close to 500 appearances for the club, it may well have been Griezmann's last match in European football's biggest club competition.
Arsenal spurned a chance to put the tie to bed when Gyökeres failed to convert a good cross from the newly introduced Piero Hincapíe. Saka himself was taken off on 59 minutes, his job done. Atlético called for a penalty in the second half but neither referee Daniel Siebert nor VAR agreed. The visitors had no real answer.
Mikel Arteta's side held firm without ever being truly threatened, and when the final whistle came, the Emirates erupted. Arsenal are through to their first Champions League final since 2006 — and their first ever chance to lift the trophy.
A historic night for Arsenal
The numbers from the tie tell the story clearly. Arsenal kept Atlético to just one goal across 180 minutes — a penalty from Álvarez in Madrid — and dominated both legs in terms of possession and chances. Arteta, who faced Simeone as a player for Real Sociedad back in October 2004, has now outfoxed the Argentine as a manager across three meetings.
Arsenal now await the winner of the PSG vs Bayern Munich second leg, which takes place with PSG holding a 5-4 first-leg lead. Whoever comes through in Munich, the Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May promises to be a night to remember.
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