Arsenal rue VAR controversy as Atletico Madrid hold on for 1-1 draw in UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg

Champions League / Semi-final

Riyadh Air Metropolitano / 29.04.2026

Atlético Madrid

Finished

Arsenal

J. Álvarez(56' PEN)

V. Gyökeres(44' PEN)

Live

Live Updates

All
Highlights

23:06

A TALE OF THREE PENALTIES AS SPOILS SHARED IN MADRID

The UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal ended in a 1-1 draw, but all the talk after the match was about a trio of penalty decisions - two of which stood, and one, crucially, that was overturned.

Arsenal completely dominated the opening 45 minutes as Atletico seemed content to sit back and defend, but the visitors made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Viktor Gyokeres was shoved to the floor inside the penalty area, and referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot.

After a VAR review backed up the official's decision, Gyokeres stepped up and slammed his spot-kick through Jan Oblak's hands to put The Gunners 1-0 up, and seemingly well on top as the teams headed into the dressing rooms at half-time.

The second half couldn't have been more different than the first, as Atletico came out after the break and took the game to Mikel Arteta's men.

A Marcos Llorente shot, which was going well wide, hit the stray hand of Ben White, drawing huge appeals for a penalty for the hosts. Referee Makkelie initially waved them away, but VAR intervened and the spot-kick was eventually awarded.

Julian Alvarez emphatically dispatched the penalty, and the game completely transformed, as the stadium exploded into life, and Atletico had Arsenal on the rack. But The Gunners weathered the storm and started to get back on top, with substitute Eberechi Eze to the fore.

The Arsenal No. 10 burst into the box and appeared to be fouled by David Hancko. Makkelie pointed to the spot once again, sparking wild scenes of protest as the Atletico players surrounded the official, while boss Diego Simeone protested vociferously on the touchline.

VAR intervened once again and, after a lengthy period of review, called the referee to the monitor. After watching the incident back several times, the official then opted to reverse his on-pitch decision, sparking huge Atletico celebrations on the pitch, on the touchline, and in the stands.

When the final whistle blew, it was the hosts who were celebrating a 1-1 first-leg draw, while Arsenal, and their clearly unhappy boss Mikel Arteta, were left to rue the spot-kick that might have been.

Highlights: Night of drama in Madrid as Arsenal claim draw with Atleti

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:48

ARTETA FUMES AT OVERTURNED PENALTY CALL

"(I was) speaking to the boys and understanding the penalty incident for the second goal getting overturned. It was against the rules and I don't understand it," he said.

"Very upset. There is clear contact; he makes the decision and you can't overturn it when you have to watch it 13 times."

When asked whether he felt the referee was influenced by the baying crowd, Arteta said, "I don't know. That's an answer for him. It's the wrong decision, and it changes the course of the tie."

While Arteta was livid at the overturning of the third penalty decision of the game, he said he had no issue with the spot kick that went against his side earlier in the game, when Marcos Llorente's wayward shot struck the hand of Ben White in the Arsenal penalty area.

"It is a rule and they have been quite consistent with that. I have nothing to say on that," he admitted.

"That one I have to say is a penalty."

Despite his frustration at the result, and the penalty that got away, Arteta said he was happy with his side's performance overall.

"There are a lot of positives. A lot of very good things that we did," he said.

"We knew we would have tough moments ... (but) we are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands."

'Very upset' Arteta hits out at 'unacceptable' penalty decision

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:40

ANOTHER PENALTY CONTROVERSY?

While the overturned penalty late in the game drew the most criticism, there were also doubts cast over the spot-kick awarded to Atletico Madrid, as a shot from Llorente struck the hand of Ben White.

It was the sort of penalty decision that might not have held up in the Premier League, but in the UEFA Champions League, it's given, as TNT Sports pundit Steven Gerrard explained.

"I think the referees have been influenced by the decision that happened last night," he suggested.

"They have seen the handball committed by Alphonso Davies that led to a penalty and thought we need to follow suit and give this one from Ben White - even if he tries to move his arm out of the way."

Atletico awarded penalty after VAR check for White handball

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:27

TNT SPORTS PUNDITS DEBATE SIMEONE ANTICS

TNT Sports pundits Martin Keown, Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman both agreed that Diego Simeone's touchline antics had a part to play in the crucial incident in the game, but Gerrard also attempted to offer some balance to the conversation by pointing out that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hasn't been averse to similar histrionics on the touchline in Premier League matches.

"Simeone orchestrates the crowd here, but he also orchestrates the officials," said Keown.

"He does that as well, and he creates a drama. VAR makes the referee look so foolish, where he can't make a decision for himself. It put him in a really difficult position."

Gerrard replied, "Arteta does that as well, in the Premier League."

To which Keown answered, "He does, but not quite like this man. He's the master. Simeone is ahead of everybody. It would be interesting to have a tracker on him, the amount he moves."

Steve McManaman also weighed in, saying, "Simeone's behaviour, along with his No. 2 and No. 3 with the fourth official and the referee when he came across, was terrible.

"Absolutely awful. He'd change his mind depending on if it was an Arsenal or an Atletico player. His performance was terrible, and that's why people don't like the dark arts and don't like Atletico Madrid."

Watch the Simeone antics that were called out for being 'atrocious'

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:23

GERRARD: SIMEONE 'THE BEST' AT TOUCHLINE GAMESMANSHIP

In a game of slim margins, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone had a big part to play as his antics on the touchline came into sharp focus as he ranted and raved at referee Danny Makkelie as he reviewed his third penalty decision on the screen at pitchside.

"There was an impact from the Atletico bench, even before the referee had looked at the screen," said TNT Sports pundit Steven Gerrard.

"It's gamesmanship. Simeone was in his face, he was waving his arms, then he was in his ear when he was at the screen. It's a performance, and he's the best at doing it."

'Simeone is in his face' - Reaction to 'gamesmanship' as Atleti boss creates 'drama'

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:17

KEOWN: ARSENAL FANS NEED TO MAKE EMIRATES 'HORRIBLE' FOR ATLETICO

"The Arsenal fans going to the second leg have got to make it equally as horrible for the opposition," said TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown.

"Look at Simeone, the way he's running around there, honestly, you've got to keep your decorum after a game but something was very wrong there tonight."

22:15

LIVE POLL: SHOULD ARSENAL'S SECOND PENALTY HAVE STOOD?

22:11

GERRARD: REF'S ORIGINAL CALL NOT 'CLEAR AND OBVIOUS' ERROR

"I have to agree with Martin. I don't think it was clear enough for it to be overturned. It wasn't a clear and obvious mistake from the referee," said TNT Sports pundit Steven Gerrard.

"I'm surprised he got sent to the screen in the first place. When you actually look at the incident, it would've been a soft penalty, and there was minimal contact.

"I think the defender was just trying to plant his leg, but I think it was really harsh on Arsenal to overturn that because it's not a clear and obvious mistake from the referee."

22:07

KEOWN: REFEREE 'BUCKLED UNDER THE PRESSURE' TO REVERSE PENALTY DECISION

TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown felt that the officials' decision to reverse the original decision to give Arsenal a second spot-kick didn't meet the threshold for a VAR referral.

"I simply don't think it was clear and obvious [to overturn the on-field decision]," said Keown after the final whistle in Madrid.

"The referee should be allowed to referee the game, and the VAR has got too involved. It's not what we wanted with VAR. It's not part of the protocol, really.

"Simeone's actions on the sideline, the drama he creates and the scenes around it, the referee in the end buckled under the pressure and went to the screen, and didn't stand by his decision. I don't think he should have been made to go to the screen."

22:03

LIVE POLL: THE SPOT-KICK DEBATE RAGES ON

The debate over the third penalty decision, which was originally given by the referee only for the official to overturn his decision after VAR review, is continuing on the touchline as TNT Sports pundits offer their take on the incident.

But what about you? Do you think the spot-kick decision should have been reversed?

90+7'

FULL TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 1-1 ARSENAL

"Mikel Arteta has more reason to be disappointed in a couple decisions," said TNT Sports analyst Ally McCoist just before the full-time whistle blews.

Diego Simeone will undoubtedly be the happier of the two bosses as the match ends in a draw to set things up perfectly for the second leg in North London.

90+4'

MOLINA FIRES OVER!

The game has been on a knife-edge ever since Atletico equalised, and after a spell of Arsenal pressure, Atletico come forward and Molina lets fly with a rocket of a shot from 25 yards that flashes narrowly over the crossbar.

The Atletico players want a corner for a fingertip save from Raya, but the replays are inconclusive.

90'

90'

STOPPAGE TIME

There will be SEVEN MINUTES of additional time at the end of this match.

"We might not have had all the goals from last night," said TNT Sports analyst Ally McCoist.]

"But there has been plenty of drama!"

89'

RICE GOES CLOSE!

Declan Rice has had an excellent game in a deep-lying midfield role, but he's stepped up and let fly from all of 30 yards with a shot that went just inches wide of Oblak's right-hand post.

88'

ATLETICO SUB: CARDOSO OFF, MOLINA ON

Substitution in

N. MolinaAtlético Madrid

Substitution out

J. CardosoAtlético Madrid

86'

ATLETICO SUB: ALVAREZ OFF, BAENA ON

Substitution in

Á. BaenaAtlético Madrid

Substitution out

J. ÁlvarezAtlético Madrid

86'

ARSENAL SUB: WHITE OFF, MOSQUERA ON

Substitution in

C. MosqueraArsenal

Substitution out

B. WhiteArsenal

81'

THE PENALTY DECISION IS OVERTURNED!

After a lengthy review, the decision is reversed, and the spot-kick is revoked.

Diego Simeone is waving and calling for Eze to be yellow carded for going down in the box. But the referee simply restarts the game.

"Hancko is the most relieved man in Madrid," said TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher, while Ally McCoist weighed in, "His mate's telling him there's serious doubt, so he's over there for a reason.

"I think if it's given in the other box, it stays given, because of the crowd."

79'

PENALTY TO ARSENAL!

The Metropolitano Stadium falls silent as Eberechi Eze is felled in the Atletico box, and the referee points to the spot.

The ref's call is under VAR review, but replays show it's a foul from Hancko, who doesn't make much contact, but makes enough.

The crowd are whistling, Diego Simeone is waving frantically, and VAR are still checking the incident.

76'

VIDEO: GRIEZMANN'S MOMENT OF MAGIC ALMOST FINDS THE NET

'Absolutely different class' as Griezmann flicks effort onto the bar

Video credit: TNT Sports

1234