#Madrid
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal exchanged penalties in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, a gritty encounter with plenty of intensity from start to finish even if it lacked the fireworks of a nine-goal thriller in Paris.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain had edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in France in Tuesday's semifinal.
Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium by converting a 44th-minute penalty kick. Julian Alvarez equalised for Atletico - also from the penalty spot - in the 56th.
Arsenal was awarded another penalty in the 78th after Eberechi Eze was brought down by David Hancko inside the area, but the call was overturned - several moments later - after a video review.
The second leg is in London next Tuesday, when both clubs will try to return to the final after a long absence and earn a chance to win the European title for the first time.
"Here you have to suffer. Many teams have suffered here, including some of the best in the world," Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. "We had some good moments in the match and moments where we had to suffer. The margins are very slim. We are in an incredible position - the semifinal of the Champions League. We have to play in front of our people - it's in our hands." Agencies