Arsenal ended a two-decade wait for a Champions League final on Tuesday night, edging Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory in their semi-final.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal proved decisive as Mikel Arteta’s side booked their place in the showpiece in Budapest on May 30, their first appearance in Europe’s elite final since the 2006 defeat to Barcelona.
The England winger pounced on a rebound just before half-time after Viktor Gyokeres’ initial shot was parried by Jan Oblak. It was the only goal of a tense, tactical contest that saw Arsenal defend resolutely to preserve their unbeaten run in this season’s competition.
The result completes a 2-1 aggregate win after last week’s 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano, where both goals had come from the penalty spot. Arsenal had felt aggrieved in Madrid when a late penalty awarded for a foul on Eberechi Eze was overturned by VAR.
On a night of high stakes, the Gunners produced a disciplined defensive display to frustrate Diego Simeone’s side, who struggled to create clear chances in the second half. Substitute Alexander Sorloth spurned Atletico’s best opportunity late on, blazing wide from close range.
Arsenal have now gone 14 Champions League matches without defeat this campaign, a new club record, and remain the only team yet to lose in the 2025-26 tournament. The win also keeps alive hopes of a domestic and European double, with Arteta’s men sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
“It’s a special night for this club,” Arteta said after the final whistle. “We’ve worked hard to get back to this level and the players showed courage when it mattered.”
The Gunners will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. PSG hold a 5-4 advantage from the first leg ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Munich.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League, with their only previous final ending in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in Paris 20 years ago.
MATCH FACTS
Arsenal 1 (Saka 43) Atletico Madrid 0
Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Attendance: 60,704
