Arsenal are in the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners beat Atlético de Madrid 1-0 this Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium, with a goal from Bukayo Saka in the 44th minute. With that result, they closed the tie with a 2-1 aggregate score and qualified for the final on May 30 at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, their first since 2006.
The goal came after a great save by Oblak from a shot by Trossard. The rebound ended up at the feet of Saka, who finished without fail to score the only goal of the match in London. The match was balanced for much of the time. Atlético was solid in defense and created danger with Griezmann and Julián Álvarez. At minute 12, Raya avoided the goal with a key save, and in the second half Giuliano was close to the tie in a play in which the visitors claimed a penalty without success.
Despite Simeone’s offensive changes, with the additions of Sorloth, Baena and Almada, Atlético failed to score the goal that forced extra time. Arsenal’s defense and Raya’s interventions ensured the result. Atlético de Madrid is eliminated after reaching the semifinals for the first time in several years. Now, Arsenal awaits a rival for the final, which will be defined in the series between Bayern Munich and PSG.
Arsenal to the Budapest final
With qualification confirmed, Arsenal will play in its second Champions League final in its history, the first since losing to Barcelona in Paris in 2006. Arteta’s team reaches the final as the only undefeated team in the competition in this edition and with Saka as an undisputed figure, who with this goal became Arsenal’s top scorer in the Champions League semi-finals with two goals to his name.
The Gunners will wait for the result of Bayern Munich vs. PSG on Wednesday, May 6 to meet their rival in the grand final on May 30 at the Puskás Arena in Budapest. In any case, Arsenal will arrive as favorites to a final that promises to be historic since none of the possible rivals has ever won the Champions League, guaranteeing a new European champion in what will be one of the most attractive finals in recent years in continental football.