Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal Draw 1-1 After Ldc VAR Call

Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal finished 1-1 in Madrid in ldc on 29/04/2026, and the result keeps every path open for the return leg. The match turned on a penalty award that did not survive a VAR review, then on late pressure from both sides.

Madrid VAR and Makkelie

The sharpest swing came when M. Makkelie first pointed to the spot after Eze went down in the area under contact from Hancko. VAR then asked for a review, and after two minutes the penalty was canceled while the yellow card for Hancko stood.

Mikel Arteta reacted angrily to the decision, which left Arsenal with a clear frustration point in a game that had already been tight. Before that incident, Saka had played a short pass into the center for Eze on the right side, setting up the action that drew the referee’s first call.

Álvarez and Atlético

Atlético also had to cope with a physical setback when Julián Álvarez was replaced by Baena after appearing to have a problem with his knee or ankle. That forced a change in the home side’s attacking shape while the score was still level.

There was still a chance for Atlético to steal more before the final whistle. Lookman missed from the point after a cross from Llorente, and Molina later sent a powerful right-footed shot just over the crossbar.

Rice, Oblak and added time

Arsenal finished the stronger. Declan Rice forced Oblak to dive with a heavy right-footed shot in added time, and the fourth official announced 7 minutes of added time as Atlético defended deep and Arsenal kept the ball near the end.

Those final minutes also brought more changes, with Cardoso replaced by Molina and Ben White replaced by Mosquera. The first leg ended level, and that leaves the return match finely balanced after a night defined by one canceled penalty, one injury and one missed chance.