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Julian Alvarez’s penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash. Viktor Gyokeres sent the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before the interval after he was fouled, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after Ben White’s handball. Arsenal were upset at a late penalty decision being overturned following a VAR review when David Hancko made contact with Eberechi Eze in the area. Atletico had the better for long periods but Arsenal’s solid defending helped them leave the Spanish capital in a good position to return to the Champions League final 20 years after their last appearance. “We were the team we have to be, if we play at this level we can win,” said Atletico captain Koke of his team’s second-half display. “From my point of view they didn’t create much danger against us... the team defended well and they just had that penalty.” What the game lacked in the dizzying goal rush of Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-4 win over Bayern Munich in the other semi-final the night before, it replaced with tension and a desperation not to fall behind. Toilet paper rained down from the stands of the Metropolitano stadium minutes before kick-off, in a striking – if wasteful – display, which invited cynical jokes from some quarters about the calibre of the spectacle ahead. In a tussle between arguably the continent’s two biggest teams never to lay a finger on the trophy neither wanted to blink first. Atletico still have an outdated defensive reputation but pinned Mikel Arteta’s miserly Arsenal back in the early stages, with David Raya tipping Alvarez’s shot around the post. The Gunners, a long way from Arteta’s eve-of-the-game demand they dominate proceedings, looked to smash and grab, with Marc Pubill blocking from Martin Odegaard on a quick breakaway. Noni Madueke, starting on Arsenal’s right flank with Bukayo Saka only fit for the bench, hammered just wide from distance as last year’s beaten semi-finalists sporadically emerged from their half. The next time they did, Gyokeres won a penalty. The Swedish striker, who might not have started if Kai Havertz was fit, exchanged passes with Martin Zubimendi and Hancko clumsily shoved him in the back from behind. Diego Simeone and Atletico veteran Antoine Griezmann begged for the decision to be reviewed but VAR saw no reason to intervene. Gyokeres took the spot-kick himself, walloping it past Jan Oblak, who dived the right way but stood no chance of keeping it out. Three-time runners-up Atletico, back in the semi-finals for the first time in nine years, came out guns blazing in the second half. Raya saved Ademola Lookman’s drive with Gabriel blocking Griezmann’s follow-up. The hosts pulled level from the penalty spot after White handled Marcos Llorente’s shot, the ball bouncing up and hitting his arm, which was away from his body. Alvarez took it, and having missed in Atletico’s Copa del Rey final shoot-out defeat earlier in April, this time made no mistake with an unforgiving blast rivalling Gyokeres’s first-half effort. MLS-bound Griezmann looped a shot off the crossbar and then sent the rebound off target as Atletico turned the screw in pursuit of an advantage to take into next Tuesday’s second leg. Nigeria international Lookman twice came close and could end up ruing his missed chances. 

Alvarez struck twice to earn Atletico Madrid an emphatic 5-2 derby victory over La Liga leaders Real Madrid Saturday, ending their rivals' perfect start to the season.Xabi Alonso's side had won all six of their games but Diego Simeone's Atletico overran them at the Metropolitano stadium. The hosts took the lead through Robin Le Normand.Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler netted to put Real Madrid in front but Alexander Sorloth levelled for Atletico at the end of a thrilling first half. Alvarez fired in from the penalty spot and then bent home a free-kick.Antoine Griezmann grabbed the fifth late on to seal an important win after a shaky start to the campaign. Atletico rose provisionally to fourth. "There are no excuses, we're hurting, it's a derby and a deserved defeat," said Alonso, after his side conceded five against their rivals for the first time since 1950.Atletico's joy was evident, with Simeone visibly emotional on the sideline as his team racked up the scoreline. "There's a lot of emotions... we've had a troubled start to the season," said Simeone. "From the start of the game we knew where we could hurt them... today was a very, very good (performance)."Led by a flying Mbappe, Real came into Alonso's first derby at the helm as the only side in the league with a 100 percent record. Although the French superstar scored again to reach eight league goals for the season, Atletico attacked relentlessly and deserved their victory.Real Madrid started Jude Bellingham for the first time since his shoulder surgery in the summer, but the England international struggled to make an impact. Giuliano Simeone, coach Diego Simeone's son, took advantage of slack Madrid defending to whip in a cross which Le Normand headed home after 14 minutes to open the scoring.The visitors reacted well. Mbappe levelled with a crisp finish after breaking in down the right. Atletico were taking the game to Real Madrid, with Alonso's side content to spring forward on the counter, trying to use the pace of Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.The Brazilian winger created Madrid's second goal, turning brilliantly in the box to break away from Marcos Llorente and Le Normand, before crossing for Guler to strike. Alvarez, who netted a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano in midweek, curled a shot around Thibaut Courtois but against the post as Atletico continued pushing.Atletico defender Clement Lenglet put the ball in the net but the Frenchman used his forearm to deflect it home. In first-half stoppage time, Atletico pulled level. Sorloth, lurking behind Dean Huijsen, planted a header beyond Courtois.The Norwegian striker celebrated with Atletico fans, who embraced him – a risky move when already on a yellow card, but he was not dismissed. Atletico moved in front for the second time when Guler gave away a penalty for a high boot, catching Nico Gonzalez's head.Alvarez, who had a penalty controversially disallowed in a Champions League shoot-out the last time the sides met, beat Courtois from the spot, even though the Belgian went the right way. "Each penalty is a new penalty, a new game, a new chance," said Alvarez.Courtois saved from Sorloth but despite getting a hand to Alvarez's free-kick, he could not keep it out as Atletico pushed two goals clear. On as a substitute, Atletico talisman Griezmann wrapped up a superb victory, rolling the ball past Courtois as the home fans rocked in delight.The players did a lap of honour, after only their third league win of the season, but it was a vital one. "It's a very special day, we knew how important this game was, being a derby of course but also because we needed the three points," Alvarez said.Real Madrid's defeat means champions Barcelona have the chance to move top, if they beat Real Sociedad today. "Few words can console us, but tomorrow the sun will come out and we will work harder than ever," pledged Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal.