Gunners shoot first, but Atletico returns fire

Arsenal and the Rojiblancos exchange penalties in Madrid, as Champions League semifinal first-leg ends in a 1-1 draw

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal exchanged penalties in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, a gritty encounter with plenty of intensity from start to finish, even if it lacked the fireworks of the nine-goal thriller that saw defending champion Paris Saint-Germain edge Bayern Munich 5-4 in France on Tuesday.

Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium on Wednesday, converting a 44th-minute penalty kick before Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico — also from the penalty spot — 12 minutes later.