BUKAYO Saka’s rebound finish on the stroke of half-time sent Arsenal into the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, as Mikel Arteta’s men survived a tense North London night to seal their place in Budapest.
The Gunners dominated the early exchanges, yet it was Atlético Madrid who carved out the first real opening.
Just eight minutes in, a swift break ended with Giuliano Simeone squaring for Julián Álvarez, who swept wide from a promising position.
For much of the first half, Arsenal were forced into hopeful long-range efforts, but with the interval approaching, they finally found their breakthrough.
Viktor Gyökeres showed expert awareness to pick out Leandro Trossard in space on the left side of the box, and the Belgian somehow manufactured the angle to get his shot away in a crowded penalty area. Jan Oblak could only parry, and there was Bukayo Saka, quickest to react, turning in the rebound.
Atlético emerged for the second half with real purpose, and eleven minutes after the restart, Antoine Griezmann forced David Raya into a smart save with a crisp, low drive.
Both managers made triple substitutions just before the hour, and it was Arsenal’s changes that nearly put the tie to bed. Captain Martin Ødegaard curled just over almost immediately after stepping onto the pitch, and fellow substitute Piero Hincapié then delivered a pinpoint cross for Gyökeres, but the striker couldn’t keep his first-time effort down.
Arsenal, chasing a 30th clean sheet of the season across all competitions, stood firm in the closing stages, restricting the visitors to precious few clear chances. When the final whistle blew, the celebrations could begin: Arteta’s side are heading to the Puskás Aréna on Saturday, 30th May, where they will face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
Player of the Match: Declan Rice: UEFA Technical Observer Group has this to say about Rice: “He showed sharp positional awareness and decision-making and did well in connecting defence and attack. His was a consistent performance with and without the ball while displaying great leadership and communication.”
Reaction
Saka, Arsenal goalscorer told to Amazon Prime after the match: “It’s so beautiful, you can see what it means to us, what it means to the fans. We’re all so happy. This was a high-pressure game. It meant a lot to both sides, we managed it well and take ourselves to the final. In those situations, I just try and stay alive. Sometimes it bounces for you, sometimes it doesn’t, but you have to be there, and I was there.”
Declan Rice, Arsenal midfielder and Player of the Match, told Amazon Prime: “I don’t think you can underestimate what we’ve done in this competition up to this point. We’ve every right to celebrate, it’s such a big moment. The Champions League is the most prestigious tournament and it’s a proud moment for the club and the boys.”
On his part, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said: “An incredible night. We’ve made history together. I could not be happier for everyone involved. We knew how much it meant to everyone. After 20 years and for the second time in our history, we’re in the Champions League final.”
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach: “The team gave absolutely everything. If we got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through. They took their chances, including their big chance in the first half.”
Jan Oblak, Atlético keeper, to Amazon Prime: “I think the second half was good, like in Madrid as well. In the first half, maybe we paid a little bit too much respect and were afraid to play. The second half was good, but it was not enough to get to the final. We are sad, but it’s football. Arsenal were better, and they’re in the final.”
Key stats:
Arsenal’s victory extended their unbeaten Champions League run to 14 fixtures, setting a new club record.
Mikel Arteta’s side secured their 41st victory of the 2025/26 campaign – equalling the most wins in a season by an Arsenal team, set in 1970/71.
The Gunners have now kept 18 clean sheets in their last 24 home European matches.
Bukayo Saka became the fourth English player to score in two Champions League semi-final ties, after Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Harry Kane, and the first to do so in successive editions.
Myles Lewis-Skelly started his third Champions League semi-final match – only Nwankwo Kanu and Iker Casillas (both four) have begun more as a teenager.
