Arsenal 1 - 0 FT Atletico Madrid

Emirates Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
35
FT
Tue, May 5
Arsenal
1-0
Atletico Madrid
⚡ Intensity 17
⚖️ Balance 20
🏆 Stakes 89
🎲 Upset 0
Saka strikes as Arsenal reach final.

Arsenal Edge Atletico to Book Final Ticket

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 35/100. A solitary strike in North London separated two European heavyweights, sending the Gunners one step closer to ultimate glory.

The Tactical Opening

Tied 1-1 from the first leg in Madrid, the tension at Emirates Stadium was palpable right from the kickoff. The Stakes could not have been higher in this massive Champions League semi-final clash, with a ticket to the grandest stage on the line. Arsenal edged possession with 53% of the ball in the opening exchanges, cautiously probing a resolute, well-organized Atletico Madrid defensive block. Following Julian Alvarez's penalty in the reverse fixture, the visitors knew they possessed the threat to punish any misstep on the counter-attack. However, the early rhythm was fractured and disjointed, with both sides trading tactical blows rather than outright chances in what quickly became a tense, low-risk chess match.

The Crucial Breakthrough

The defining moment finally arrived just before the half-time whistle, fundamentally altering the entire complexion of the two-legged tie. In the 44th minute, B. Saka found an elusive opening in the penalty area, firing the hosts ahead with a clinical finish. This single goal decisively tipped the Balance of the semi-final, putting the North London side 2-1 up on aggregate. It instantly forced the Spanish outfit to abandon their conservative, wait-and-see approach, knowing they now desperately needed an equalizer to keep their European dreams alive. The timing of the strike served as a crushing psychological hammer blow for the visitors heading into the dressing rooms.

A Defensive Masterclass

The second half required immense tactical discipline, and Declan Rice delivered an outstanding performance to completely anchor the midfield. Dictating the tempo with precision and recording two key passes, he ensured the visitors rarely found a clear sight of goal. Atletico Madrid threw bodies forward late on out of sheer necessity, but they managed just two shots on target all evening, accumulating a mere 0.50 expected goals against a rock-solid defensive line. The final whistle brought absolute sheer relief to the deafening home support, officially confirming Arsenal's glorious progression to the final while ending the Spanish side's journey.

Key Questions

What does this mean for Arsenal's season?

Reaching the Champions League final puts them exactly where they want to be, just ninety minutes away from lifting European football's ultimate prize.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
53%
47%
Arsenal 53%
Atletico Madrid 47%
Shots
13
9
Arsenal 13
Atletico Madrid 9
Shots on Target
2
2
Arsenal 2
Atletico Madrid 2
Expected Goals (xG)
1.58
0.50
Arsenal 1.58
Atletico Madrid 0.50
Passes
439
381
Arsenal 439
Atletico Madrid 381
Pass Accuracy
86%
83%
Arsenal 86%
Atletico Madrid 83%
Corners
5
2
Arsenal 5
Atletico Madrid 2
Fouls
10
13
Arsenal 10
Atletico Madrid 13
Yellow Cards
0
1
Arsenal 0
Atletico Madrid 1
Red Cards
0
0
Arsenal 0
Atletico Madrid 0

Match Events

44' B. Saka
HT
G. Simeone J. Cardoso 🔄 57'
R. Le Normand A. Sorloth 🔄 57'
A. Lookman N. Molina 🔄 57'
58' 🔄 R. Calafiori P. Hincapie
58' 🔄 B. Saka N. Madueke
59' 🔄 E. Eze M. Odegaard
A. Griezmann A. Baena 🔄 66'
J. Alvarez T. Almada 🔄 66'
74' 🔄 M. Lewis-Skelly M. Zubimendi
M. Pubill 🟨 81'
83' 🔄 L. Trossard G. Martinelli
D. Simeone 🟨 90'+3
90'+3 🟨 M. Arteta
Koke 🟨 90'+5
90'+5 🟨 R. Calafiori
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Arsenal

Goalkeepers
David Raya
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ben White
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
William Saliba
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Gabriel Magalhães
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Riccardo Calafiori
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Declan Rice
ENFORCER
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
5
Duels Won
71%
Win %
Myles Lewis-Skelly
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Bukayo Saka
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Eberechi Eze
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Leandro Trossard
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
Forwards
Viktor Gyökeres
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Kepa Arrizabalaga
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tommy Setford
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Piero Hincapié
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cristhian Mosquera
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martin Ødegaard
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martín Zubimendi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christian Nørgaard
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Max Dowman
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noni Madueke
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Jesus
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Martinelli
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kai Havertz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Atletico Madrid

Goalkeepers
Jan Oblak
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Marc Pubill
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
Robin Le Normand
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Dávid Hancko
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matteo Ruggeri
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Giuliano Simeone
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Marcos Llorente
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koke
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Ademola Lookman
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Forwards
Antoine Griezmann
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Julián Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
BENCH
Juan Musso
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nahuel Molina
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry
José María Giménez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Clément Lenglet
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Javier Boñar
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Johnny Cardoso
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alex Baena
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thiago Almada
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julio Díaz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rodrigo Mendoza
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Obed Vargas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexander Sørloth
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
04/29/2026 Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Arsenal UEFA Champions League Metropolitano Stadium
10/21/2025 Arsenal 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League Emirates Stadium
07/26/2018 Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Arsenal International Champions Cup The National Stadium (Singapore)
05/03/2018 Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Arsenal UEFA Europa League Estadio Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid)
04/26/2018 Arsenal 1 - 1 Atletico Madrid UEFA Europa League Emirates Stadium (London)
04/29/2026
UEFA Champions League Metropolitano Stadium
10/21/2025
UEFA Champions League Emirates Stadium
07/26/2018
International Champions Cup The National Stadium (Singapore)
05/03/2018
UEFA Europa League Estadio Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid)
04/26/2018
UEFA Europa League Emirates Stadium (London)
Arsenal Win
Atletico Madrid Win
Draw