Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid result (Arsenal win 2-1 on agg) - Bukayo Saka guides The Gunners into first UEFA Champions League final for 20 years

Champions League / Semi-final

Emirates Stadium / 05.05.2026

Arsenal

Finished

Aggregate score 2-1

Atlético Madrid

B. Saka(45')

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Highlights

Highlights: Arsenal reach UCL final after Saka winner downs Atletico

Video credit: TNT Sports

HISTORY-MAKER BUKAYO SAKA ROARS ARSENAL TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Arsenal will contest their first UEFA Champions League final in 20 years after Bukayo Saka scored the winner in a narrow 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg.

The Gunners put on a determined display in front of a deafening home crowd to see off Spanish La Liga giants Atleti and book their tickets for the final in Budapest, following last week’s 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano.

You could cut the tension with a knife throughout much of the first half as Arsenal dominated possession but Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos looked a regular threat in transition.

Declan Rice made a heroic sliding challenge to stop one potent Atleti counter, dispossessing Giuliano Simone at the final moment as he attempted to convert from a low Antoine Griezmann cross.

Saka then missed a decent chance down the other end, volleying wide of the target when unmarked at the far post from an in-swinging Rice corner.

But that moment was soon forgotten as Arsenal found the crucial breakthrough just before half-time, Saka poking home from close range after Leandro Trossard’s low strike was spilled by Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Viktor Gyokeres, arguably Arsenal’s best player on the night for his hold-up work and runs in the channels, played a key role in the goal as he forced Oblak wide before Trossard’s shot.

The visitors came out of the blocks firing in the second period as they pushed for an equaliser, Simeone making all five substitutes by the 65th minute as he threw everything at Arsenal.

However Mikel Arteta’s team stood firm, absorbing the pressure and holding on for a famous victory in front of their jubilant home support.

Arsenal, targeting an ambitious double, will take on either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Saturday, May 30, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

ARTETA: ATMOSPHERE 'SPECIAL AND UNIQUE'

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted tonight's atmosphere at the Emirates was like nothing he has ever experienced before.

Arteta said in his post-match press conference: "It's an incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this football club.

"The manner that we got received outside the stadium already was special and unique.

"The atmosphere our supporters created, the energy, the way they lift every ball with us, it made it special and unique.

"I never felt that in the stadium. We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything, the boys did an incredible job.

"After 20 years and for the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final."

On being unbeaten all the way through the competition, Arteta added: "We know how difficult and challenging every opponent is at this level.

"Atletico are an incredible team, the way they compete, the solution they have, the answer they have to everything that you try to do to them immediately.

"It's incredible, that's the reason that they've been there. They've done an outstanding job there and the margins are so small and tonight they've gone for us."

LEWIS-SKELLY PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE

Rice was sure to hail midfield counterpart Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had an impressive evening in the centre of the park before being forced off with a knock.

Rice, speaking to Amazon Prime about Lewis-Skelly: "We have always known what Myles can do.

"I remember last year when he played so many games. Last year when he stepped up Real Madrid away at the Bernabeu at 18 - I thought: 'Wow what a player.'

"The manager has been tough on him behind the scenes. He has kept his head down and he has worked so hard.

"He is in early, gym and works hard. To be thrown in at the deep end and perform how he did is no surprise to me."

RICE: 'WE ARE TRYING TO SOAK IT IN'

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who claimed tonight's man-of-the-match award, couldn't be prouder of what he and his teammates have achieved.

Rice told Amazon Prime: "It is chaos [in the dressing room]. I don't think you can underestimate what we have done in this competition up to this point.

"I think we have every right to celebrate that moment. The most prestigious competition in club football. We are just trying to soak it all in."

"We knew coming into the game what was at stake. If you can't get up for that, then you can't get up for any game of football. When we went 1-0 up, I knew we were going to win. I could feel something special building."

On Arsenal's progression, Rice added: "Where this club has come from over the last few years - things that hurt you as a player...

"The manager has taken full control. We have kept building - we have kept pushing each other.

"This competition and the Premier League. We have gone full throttle. We have found ourselves in a good position with less than a month to go. Sunday now is a massive one."

WATCH: SAKA'S WINNING GOAL

Here's the all-important moment from Arsenal's star boy, Bukayo Saka.

‘What a huge goal!’ – Saka reacts quickest to put Arsenal ahead

Video credit: TNT Sports

SAKA IN DREAMLAND

Arsenal match-winner Saka kept his post-match interview short but sweet as he wanted to make the most of the celebrations in front of the Clock End, but his words were impactful nonetheless.

Saka told Amazon Prime: "It's so beautiful, you can see what it means to Arsenal and the fans. We’re all so happy!

"It’s easier said than done, this game is a high pressure game and it means a lot to both sides. We managed it well and got ourselves to the final.

"When we arrived in the coaches, I had never seen anything like it.

"We pushed and pushed and now we can celebrate it together."

On whether that goal is the most important of his career so far, Saka added: "It’s definitely up there!"

Then, when told about being in Arteta's first-ever Arsenal XI in 2019, Saka said: "It’s a beautiful story and I hope it ends well."

BAYERN OR PSG AWAIT

Arsenal will take on either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max on Saturday, May 30.

A cracker awaits tomorrow night as Bayern and PSG commence battle for the second spot in the last two.

Having played out a 5-4 thriller in the first leg, the second leg couldn’t be better poised at the Allianz Arena.

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HOW THEY DID IT

Here are the final statistics from a memorable night in north London...

Possession: Arsenal 54%-46% Atletico

Total shots: Arsenal 13-9 Atletico

Shots on target: Arsenal 2-2 Atletico

Expected goals (xG): Arsenal 1.58-0.53 Atletico

Corners: Arsenal 5-2 Atletico

Goals: Arsenal 1-0 Atletico

Full time

FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID (2-1 ON AGGREGATE)

Arsenal have done it!

Mikel Arteta's side are in the UEFA Champions League final!

The Emirates Stadium erupts as the final whistle blows.

After so many disappointments and so many near misses over recent seasons, the Gunners are in the Champions League final two for the first time in over two decades.

It's another setback for Atletico, who will not be reaching their third grand European showdown under Simeone.

90+6'

MORE YELLOWS

They are like London buses, these cards!

It's kicking off in the technical area, where the already-substituted Calafiori sees a yellow card.

As do Atletico midfielder Koke and manager Diego Simeone.

Yellow card

Koke

Atlético Madrid

90+4'

NEARLY THERE

We're into the final 60 seconds at the Emirates.

Anywhere will do for Arsenal, launching the ball into touch.

Or in Saliba's case, row Z!

90+3'

ARTETA SEES YELLOW

The Arsenal boss is also booked by referee Siebert.

It looked as if he left his technical area.

90+3'

RAYA BOOKED

Arsenal goalkeeper Raya has his name taken for taking his time with a goal-kick.

He won't mind one bit as the Gunners inch closer to victory.

90'

FIVE MORE MINUTES

Mostly down to the 10 substitutions we've had, there will be five minutes of second-half stoppage time.

Can Atletico find an equaliser?

89'

BAENA BLAZES OVER

Atletico's Alex Baena does Arsenal a huge favour, blazing over from about 30 yards.

That gives the grateful hosts an opportunity to regroup and waste a little time.

88'

ATLETICO PUSHING

It's time for Atletico to throw the kitchen sink at this, methinks.

The urgency is building, with long passes being launched forward more regularly.

Sorloth, often the target, mis-controls one hopeful ping and wastes an opportunity.

85'

TOO MUCH FOR SOME

The cameras pan to a tearful Atletico Madrid fan, who can barely watch.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are looking to the heavens, praying their side can hold on.

Time is running out for the Spanish visitors to send this game the distance.

83'

ONE LAST SUB

Gabriel Martinelli is on for the final seven minutes of regulation time, for Trossard.

Arsenal's Belgian winger more than played his part in the goal as it was his shot parried into Saka's path.

Both teams have now used up all five changes.

Substitution in

G. Martinelli

Arsenal

Substitution out

L. Trossard

Arsenal

82'

WE HAVE A BOOKING!

At long last, we have a booking in this game.

Referee Daniel Siebert finally finds his cards, showing yellow to Marc Pubill after he man-handled Gyokeres.

Yellow card

M. Pubill

Atlético Madrid

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