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New Delhi: Atletico Madrid and Arsenal exchanged penalties in a gritty 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

The encounter in Madrid had plenty of intensity but lacked the frenzy and excitement of a nine-goal thriller in Paris on Tuesday.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain had edged past Bayern Munich 5-4 in a frantic encounter in France in the semifinal first leg.

Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead at the Metropolitano Stadium by scoring from the spot in the 44th-minute. Julian Alvarez restored parity in the 56th minute, also from the penalty spot.

Arsenal were awarded another penalty in the 78th after Eberechi Eze was tackled down by David Hancko inside the area, but the call was overturned after a video review (VAR) by the referee.

All to play for in London

Both teams will start from scratch in the second leg in London next week, aiming to return to the final after a long absence and earn an opportunity to win the maiden European title.

“Here you have to suffer. Many teams have suffered here, including some of the best in the world,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. “We had some good moments in the match and moments where we had to suffer. The margins are very slim. We are in an incredible position – the semifinal of the Champions League. We have to play in front of our people – it’s in our hands.”

In the league meeting, Arsenal routed Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Atletico last qualified for the Champions League final in 2016, when it lost to city rivals Real Madrid.

“We tried,” Atletico midfielder Koke Resurreccion said. “We started losing with that penalty, which was doubtful, but the team recovered and we could equalise with a penalty ourselves. We had the opportunities to win, but it will all be decided in the second leg. I think we played a good match.”

Gyokeres broke the deadlock on Wednesday after he was brought down by Hancko from behind.

Meanwhile, Atletico’s penalty came after Arsenal defender Ben White handled the ball following a shot by Marcos Llorente. The call came after a video review. Alvarez, who made no mistake from the spot, was replaced later in the second half with an apparent injury.

(With Agency Inputs)