SUPER Eagles Striker, Ademola Lookman missed numerous golden opportunities as Atletico Madrid and Arsenal settled for a dramatic draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s decisive return leg in London.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that both sides scored from the penalty spot in an incident-packed encounter at the Estadio Metropolitano, with Arsenal initially taking the lead before Atletico fought back strongly in the second half.
The game began cautiously, with neither side willing to concede an early advantage in what was a tense and tactical opening period.
However, Arsenal broke the deadlock one minute before halftime when Viktor Gyokeres won and converted a penalty for the visitors.
The striker went down under a challenge from David Hancko inside the area, and after the referee pointed to the spot, Gyokeres calmly stepped up to fire Arsenal ahead.
The goal handed the Gunners a valuable platform heading into the interval.
Atletico Madrid emerged for the second half with renewed intensity and quickly began piling pressure on Arsenal’s defence in search of an equaliser.
Ademola Lookman came close to levelling the score after forcing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into a save, before Gabriel Magalhaes produced a crucial block to deny Antoine Griezmann from converting the rebound.
The hosts eventually found their equaliser in the 56th minute after a controversial handball decision.
Marcos Llorente’s shot from the edge of the area struck Ben White’s leg before appearing to brush the defender’s hand.
Following a VAR review, the referee awarded Atletico Madrid a penalty, and Julian Alvarez smashed the ball powerfully into the top corner, leaving Raya with no chance.
Atletico continued to push forward after drawing level.
Griezmann rattled the crossbar as the Spanish side looked for a second goal, while Lookman later squandered a golden opportunity when he shot straight at Raya from close range.
Arsenal also thought they had earned another late penalty after substitute Eberechi Eze appeared to beat Hancko to the ball before going down inside the area.
However, following another VAR review, the decision was overturned.
The result leaves the semi-final delicately poised ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday.
Alvarez justified that praise with an energetic and influential performance.
The striker created Atletico’s first major chance with excellent footwork to beat Gabriel near the edge of the area before forcing Raya into a save.
He also nearly scored from a 30-yard free-kick shortly after halftime following a foul conceded by Gyokeres.
His penalty, however, was the standout moment as he blasted the ball emphatically into the top corner.
Raya remained rooted to the spot because of the sheer power behind the strike.
Alvarez had only recently returned to Atletico’s starting line-up after recovering from a thigh injury.
However, the forward later appeared to suffer another knock and was eventually substituted.
Atletico will now hope the injury is not serious as they prepare for the decisive second leg.
Both teams will now shift attention back to domestic league action this weekend.
Arsenal return to Premier League duty on Saturday when they host Fulham, while Atletico Madrid travel to face Valencia in La Liga later the same day.