UEFA Europa League
Result: Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Date: 26 April 2018
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Ten-man Atletico Madrid claimed a vital away goal through Antoine Griezmann as they drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.
Atletico felt hard done by in the 10th minute after right-back Sime Vrsaljiko got his second yellow card and was sent off following a late tackle on Alexandre Lacazette.
Diego Simeone was furious on the touchline and was remonstrating to every decision that went against them and, four minutes later, he was also sent off.
Laurent Koscielny should have opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 26th minute but he sliced a volley wide at the back post following a neat flick from Lacazette.
Antoine Griezmann found space inside the box for the visitors in the 33rd minute and unleashed a powerful low shot that was brilliantly saved by the hosts' goalkeeper David Ospina.
Neither side could find the opening goal in the final 10 minutes of the half, despite Arsenal's dominance.
The English side had gained control and Lacazette finally found the breakthrough with 60 minutes gone after leaping highest inside the box to convert a cross from the left wing,1-0.
The Gunners were oozing confidence with 15 minutes remaining and threatened to get their second goal as their numerical advantage was beginning to tell.
However, Griezmann got Simeone's men back into the tie eight minutes before time after shrugging off Koscielny before slotting into an empty net after Ospina had half-saved his initial shot.
The Gunners pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages and Aaron Ramsey came within inches but saw his flashed header somehow pawed away by Oblak as Atletico managed to remain solid in defence to claim the draw.
