* Translated by AI

Starnews

'For the first time in 20 years,' Arsenal advances to the Champions League final! Aiming for 'the first-ever' championship title... Opponent will be the winner of 'Munich vs. PSG'

Published:

Park Geondo

*This content was translated by AI.

Declan Rice is seen smiling and running after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Declan Rice is seen smiling and running after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

This is a remarkable achievement achieved for the first time in 20 years. Arsenal (England) has seized a golden opportunity to surpass Atletico Madrid (Spain) and become the first-ever European champion in the club's history.

On the early morning of the 6th (Korean time), Arsenal defeated Atletico 1-0 in the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK. Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg away match, Arsenal secured the final ticket with an aggregate score of 2-1.

As a result, Arsenal will step onto the Champions League final stage for the first time in 20 years since Thierry Henry's era in 2005-2006. Back then, Arsenal finished as runners-up after losing to FC Barcelona (Spain) in the final, but now the club aims for its first-ever major trophy.

On this day, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Leading the front line was Victor Osimhen, supported by Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, and Bukayo Saka in the second line. The midfield was composed of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice, while the defense was formed by Ricardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, and Ben White. David Raya guarded the goal.

Noni Madueke (No. 20) is seen kneeling in celebration after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Noni Madueke (No. 20) is seen kneeling in celebration after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

The visiting team Atletico lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann formed the striking duo, while Ademola Lookman, Koke, Marcos Llorente, and Julián Simeone composed the midfield. Matteo Ruggeri, David Hancko, Robin Le Normand, and Marc Pubill were responsible for the back four, with Jan Oblak in goal.

The tight balance was broken just before the end of the first half. In the 45th minute, in a chaotic situation in front of the goal, Saka demonstrated his concentration and drove the ball into the net with his left foot. Although Atletico's goalkeeper Oblak had blocked Trossard's earlier shot, he could not stop Saka's follow-up strike.

Desperate, Atletico made a decisive move by simultaneously substituting Aleksandar Šešelj, João Cardoso, and Nahuel Molina in the 13th minute of the second half. Manager Arteta also brought on Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, and Piero Incaupi in succession to solidify his lead.

Bukayo Saka (No. 7) and manager Mikel Artema are seen embracing after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Bukayo Saka (No. 7) and manager Mikel Artema are seen embracing after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

The match intensified in the final stages of the second half. Both manager Arteta, who intentionally did not touch the ball near the touchline, and manager Simeone, who strongly protested the referee's decision, received yellow cards. However, Arsenal's goal remained untouched. The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Arsenal.

Arsenal's opponent in the final will be the winner of the quarterfinal match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich (Germany). Currently, PSG leads 5-4 in the first leg.

Lee Kang-in's team PSG and Kim Min-jae's Munich will play the second leg of the semi-finals at Munich's home ground on the early morning of the 7th.

Atletico Madrid players are seen applauding in front of away fans after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Atletico Madrid players are seen applauding in front of away fans after the second leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals, held at London's Emirates Stadium in the UK on the early morning of the 6th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=NEWS1

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*This content was translated by AI.

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