Arsenal 1-0 Madrid

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as a Bucayo soccer goal earned them a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

In an important night for the club, Saka scored the decisive goal just before half-time after Leandro Trossard’s shot was parried by Jan Oblak, ensuring Arsenal would go on. Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain May 30 in Budapest.

The Gunners were worthy winners as they looked to lift the trophy for the first time in their history after losing to Barcelona in their only previous final in 2006 but had to come through another tough encounter with Atletico.

It could have been different had the brilliant Declan Rice not made a crucial tackle to prevent a certain Giuliano Simeone goal in the first half. Gabriel Magalhas, the same Atletico player, had another goal save challenge after half time.

But Arsenal, claiming a draw in last week’s first leg, produced another outstanding defensive display to limit Atletico’s chances, their ninth clean sheet in 14 European games and 30th in all competitions this season.

They also missed the opportunity to kill the tie at the other end of the pitch.

The tireless Victor Giocares dropped his best to score in the middle of the box, firing over the crossbar from substitute Piero Hincapie’s low cross.

In the end, though, Sakka’s goal proved enough, as Arsenal saw out the closing stages in relative ease before ecstatic scenes of celebration that included manager Mikel Arteta running onto the pitch to join his players at the final whistle.

Arsenal will now turn their focus back to the Premier League title race, with West Ham next up Super SundayKnowing that he will have the opportunity to end an epic campaign on an unprecedented high in Budapest at the end of May.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich meet in the second leg of the other semi-final at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, following a 5-4 win for Luis Enrique’s side in the first leg.

Analysis: A night for Arsenal

The magnitude of the event was evident long before kick-off, when thousands of Arsenal fans lined the streets to welcome the team to the stadium. Their coach was greeted by red flames and a wall of noise as he made his way through the crowd.

The positivity continued inside the ground, where a giant tifo reading ‘Over land and sea’ was unfurled before kick-off as Arsenal fans roared alongside them from around the pitch.

Most expected changes to Arsenal’s starting line-up after Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham. But instead of reverting to Martin Zubimendi and Hincapie, for example, Arteta stuck with the more technical Miles Lewis-Skelley and Riccardo Calafiori.

His election revealed his intentions. This was a team picked to win the game. And repay those who stand. There was an explosion of celebration when Saka scored and more later when, finally, the referee blew the final whistle.

The win is historic for Arsenal, whose defensive brilliance, combined with the late-season form of attacking players like Saka, will make them a formidable foe for Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich as they head to Budapest in search of the trophy.

Arteta: We made history together

Arsenal the boss Michael Arteta In his press conference: “It’s an incredible night. We’ve made history together again.

“I couldn’t be happier or prouder of everyone involved with this club. Outside the stadium was special and unique.

“The atmosphere the fans created, the energy, it made it special. I’ve never felt that in a stadium.

“We put everything in. The boys did an incredible job. After 20 years, and only the second time in our history, we’re back in the Champions League final.”

Simeone: Arteta did an incredible job

Atlético Madrid the boss Diego Simeone In his press conference: “If we get knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to go through.

“They took their big chances in the first half and they deserved to go through. If you ask me how I feel, I feel calm and peaceful.

“I think the team gave absolutely everything in the first leg, we could have won it in the second half but we weren’t clinical enough.

“We improved a lot in the second half tonight compared to the first half. We had chances and things that could have gone our way but didn’t.

“I think Mikel Arteta has done an incredible job at Arsenal. He has been trying to get to this place for a long time.

“They have incredible financial strength and it ties in with what they’re doing. I’m really pleased for them.

“They deserve it. They’ve been working really hard for years.”

Arsenal’s record breaking season

• Arsenal equaled their club record for most wins in a season (41 across all competitions), having previously won 41 in the 1970/71 campaign.
• Arsenal are now on their longest unbeaten run in the European Cup and Champions League (14 matches), surpassing their 13 game run between March 2005 and April 2006.
• Arsenal have kept a clean sheet for the 30th time in all competitions this season, their most in a single campaign since 1993/94 (30) and the most by a Premier League side since Liverpool in 2021/22 (32).

What’s next for Arsenal?

Arsenal will turn their attention back to the Premier League title race when they take on relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday 10 May, LIVE Sky Sports with kick-off at 4.30pm.

Champions League final when?

The 2026 Champions League final will take place on Saturday, May 30 at the 67,000-capacity Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Kick-off is 5pm BST.