05/05/26 04:13:00
Printable Page
05/05 16:11 CDT Arsenal reaches its first Champions League final in 20 years as
Saka's goal seals win over Atletico
Arsenal reaches its first Champions League final in 20 years as Saka's goal
seals win over Atletico
By MATTIAS KAREN
Associated Press
LONDON (AP) --- Arsenal is back in the Champions League final for the first
time in 20 years thanks to a late first-half goal from Bukayo Saka that secured
a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Saka was on hand to slot in the rebound after Leandro Trossard's shot was saved
by Jan Oblak in the 45th minute to put Arsenal up 2-1 on aggregate in the
second leg of their semifinal.
The Gunners' stingy defense did the rest as Arsenal has now kept a clean sheet
at home in all three knockout rounds. The team also conceded a competition-low
four goals in winning all eight of its matches in the league phase.
It will be only Arsenal's second final in Europe's premier competition, having
lost the 2006 title match to Barcelona. This time it will face either defending
champion Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.
PSG won the pulsating first leg of their semifinal 5-4, and the second leg is
in Munich on Wednesday.
It could prove a special season for the London cub, which is now one game away
from its first European Cup title and three games away from a first Premier
League crown in 22 years.
The Gunners are guaranteed the domestic league title if they win their
remaining three matches, after closest rival Manchester City was held to a 3-3
draw at Everton on Monday.
Atletico had a chance to equalize in the 51st when Giuliano Simeone chased down
a poor backward header from William Saliba to round goalkeeper David Raya, but
center back Gabriel did just enough to make him put his effort wide.
Atletico was then denied a possible penalty when Arsenal defender Riccardo
Calafiori stepped on the foot of Antoine Griezmann in the area, as referee
Daniel Siebert awarded a free kick to the hosts for an earlier incident instead.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone, clad in his customary all-black attire, grew
increasingly agitated on the sidelines as the decisions went against his club
and the search for an equalizer proved fruitless. He was eventually booked for
his remonstrations in stoppage time. Simeone led his team to the Champions
League final in 2014 and 2016, losing both times to Real Madrid, but will have
to wait for a third chance to deliver the club's first European Cup.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gykeres had a great chance to double the lead on a
counterattack in the 66th when Piero Hincapie picked him out with a cross but
he side footed his effort over the bar.
As expected, though, this matchup never looked likely to descend into the kind
of free-flowing back-and-forth attacking play of the PSG-Bayern game, as
Arsenal's defense held firm.
Whichever team wins that second semifinal, the final in Budapest promises to be
a contrast in styles.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|
