Arsenal reach Champions League final after 20-year wait

KATHMANDU: Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win across two legs.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the decisive moment came at Emirates Stadium in London, where Bukayo Saka struck just before halftime.

In the 44th minute, a shot from Leandro Trossard was parried by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but the rebound fell kindly to Saka, who calmly slotted it home.

Atlético made a bright start, nearly taking the lead early on, but Declan Rice produced a crucial block to deny Giuliano Simeone.

In the second half, Arsenal pushed for a second goal. Viktor Gyökeres came close with a header from a cross by Piero Hincapié, but his effort sailed over the bar.

The match saw moments of tension, including a VAR review following a clash between Gabriel Magalhães and Giuliano Simeone.

Later, Atlético’s Antoine Griezmann went down in the penalty area, but the referee waved away appeals.

Saka’s goal ultimately proved decisive, sending Arsenal into their first Champions League final in two decades. They will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the title clash.

Saka has been in sensational form this campaign, contributing 9 goals and 5 assists in 14 matches at the Emirates.

With this victory, Arsenal also extended their strong record against Spanish opposition, remaining unbeaten in their last nine Champions League matches against clubs from Spain.