Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal: Alvarez’s historic strike puts tie in the balance

Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal were the first to threaten when Noni Madueke drove into the box and delivered a cross to the far post, but Piero Hincapie failed to hit the target.

David Raya was the first of the two goalkeepers to be called into action. The Spaniard made a great save to keep out Julian Alvarez’s effort in the 14th minute.

Alvarez rose to meet a cross from the left just before the half-hour mark, but failed to test Raya.

Arsenal responded at the other end as Madueke drove to the edge of the penalty box, but his effort drifted wide.

The visitors were awarded a penalty before half-time following David Hancko’s foul on Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede beat Jan Oblak from 12 yards.

Alvarez came close to drawing Atletico level shortly after the break with a brilliant free-kick, but his effort struck the side netting.

The Argentine eventually levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 56th minute, scoring his 25th goal in the Champions League.

He is now the fastest South American to reach that figure in the competition, overtaking Lionel Messi.

Antoine Griezmann struck the woodwork before firing the rebound wide as Atletico upped the ante.

Ademola Lookman should have put the La Liga side ahead in the 74th minute, when he received a pass from Marcos Llorente, but Raya made a good save to deny him.

Arsenal were then awarded a penalty after Hancko was initially deemed to have fouled Eberechi Eze, but the VAR overturned the decision.

The tie is in the balance ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium.