Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. The Gunners broke down Atlético Madrid's defensive wall in a 1-0 (1-0) victory in the semi-final second leg and can continue to dream of their first-ever triumph in Europe's premier club competition.
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A golden goal after a 20-year wait! Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid to reach the Champions League final
In the final, however, the toughest possible challenge awaits: in Budapest (30 May), Havertz's still-unbeaten side will face either Bayern Munich or last year's winners, Paris Saint-Germain. Following the 1-1 draw in Madrid the previous week, Bukayo Saka (45') fired the Londoners into the final for the second time. Atlético were denied a third final appearance under manager Diego Simeone, having reached the final in 2014 and 2016.
Havertz, who had fired Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021 but had recently been plagued by injury problems, missed the first leg through injury and was back in the squad, though not yet fit enough to play.
Arsenal had been working towards this chance to reach the final for 20 years, as manager Mikel Arteta emphasised: "It's in our hands." On Monday night, supporters even set off fireworks near the Atlético hotel in an attempt to keep the Spaniards awake.
Arsenal capitalised on their first real chance, while Atlético failed to convert their only opportunity to equalise.
Nevertheless, Atlético's players looked sharp. The visitors showed flashes of their no-nonsense counter-attacking style and posed an occasional threat, leaving Arsenal to toil against the Rojiblancos' renowned defence.
During the league campaign, Atlético had suffered a heavy 0-4 thrashing in north London; this time they'd changed hotels—out of superstition? No, no, Simeone assured us, adding with a wink that the new accommodation was "simply cheaper".
The ploy worked—at least until just before half-time. Arsenal created little, saw their appeals for a penalty from German referee Daniel Siebert, following a slight push on Leandro Trossard (34'), turned down, and yet still had reason to celebrate. Saka pounced after Jan Oblak had made a strong save from a Trossard shot.
Arteta's side, still on course for the league title after Manchester City's slip-up, nearly threw away their lead shortly after the restart. William Saliba inadvertently headed the ball to Atlético substitute Giuliano Simeone, who wasted the golden chance (51). Viktor Gyökeres then spurned a golden opportunity to wrap things up for Arsenal (66'), keeping the tie alive for a frantic finale.
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