After Tuesday's all-time Champions League classic between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Atlético Madrid served up a tactical tussle in the first leg of their semifinal tie that was decided by two penalties.
Viktor Gyökeres and Julian Álvarez both made no mistake from the spot, but it was the controversial decision to overturn a third penalty awarded for a challenge from Dávid Hancko on Eberechi Eze that will have fans talking.
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So often the nearly men of Europe's elite club knockout competition, tonight's match represented Atlético's first Champions League semifinal since 2016-17.
They earned their place in the last four by squeaking past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.
Simeone's team have long-been characterised by their dogmatic defending and mastery of the 'dark arts,' but this Atlético team have already recorded their highest goal tally in the Champions League this season (35) with 10 of them coming courtesy of former Manchester City man Álvarez.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are playing in a Champions League semifinal for the second straight year -- a club first. Arteta's team scraped past Sporting CP in the last eight thanks to Kai Havertz's late winner in the first leg in Lisbon.
The north London club's fine early-season form saw them top the league phase with a perfect record, but their recent Premier League wobble threatens to derail their dreams of Champions League glory.
