Saka sends Arsenal to Champions League Final with historic win over Atlético at Emirates
Arsenal are heading into a historic season finale after Bukayo Saka fired the London club into their first UEFA Champions League final in 20 years, sealing a hard-fought victory over Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Saka struck in the 45th minute, reacting quickly to tap in a rebound after Leandro Trossard’s effort was saved by Jan Oblak, securing a 1-0 win in the second leg and a 2-1 aggregate triumph that sent Arsenal into only their second Champions League final in history.
The Gunners, who previously lost the 2006 final to Barcelona, will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30, as PSG carry a thrilling 5-4 advantage into their second leg in Munich.
Atlético Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, saw their long wait for a Champions League title continue, having previously lost finals in 2014 and 2016 to Real Madrid under Simeone’s leadership.
The match itself was tight and physical, with Arsenal dominating possession but struggling to break through in a cautious first half before Saka delivered the decisive moment that defined the tie.
The goal marked Saka’s 13th in the Champions League for Arsenal, placing him among the club’s top scorers in the competition’s history.
