Atletico Madrid rallied to take a first leg draw into its trip to the Emirates next week.
Johnny Cardoso started and played 88 minutes as Diego Simeone’s squad earned a 1-1 UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg draw with Arsenal on Wednesday. Cardoso became the fourth U.S. men’s national team player to reach the final four of the competition, joining DaMarcus Beasley, Tyler Adams, and Christian Pulisic on that list.
Mikel Arteta’s squad grabbed a first-half lead before the interval as Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres slotted home from the penalty spot. Atletico defender David Hancko bundled Gyokeres over in the box, forcing referee Danny Desmond Makkelie to point to the spot.
Atletico Madrid would fight back though before the hour mark as Julian Alvarez equalized with a penalty kick finish of his own. Diego Llorente’s cross struck the arm of Gunners defender Ben White and VAR agreed with the call, giving Alvarez the spot kick chance.
He became the fastest South American player in Champions League history to score 25 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record in one fewer match.
VAR had one final decision to make with nine minutes to go, overturning a penalty kick originally awarded to Arsenal. Hancko was whistled to have fouled Eberechi Eze in the box, but a closer look showed that the veteran defender did not trip the English forward.
Cardoso was substituted off before stoppage time, logging his second start out of the past five matches.
Atletico Madrid will head to the Emirates for the second leg on May 5, but first the La Liga club will visit Valencia in league play three days prior.