Julian Alvarez’s penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday.

Viktor Gyokeres sent the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before the interval after he was fouled, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after Ben White’s handball.

Arsenal were upset at a late penalty decision being overturned following a VAR review when David Hancko made contact with Eberechi Eze in the area.

Atletico had the better for long periods but Arsenal’s solid defending helped them leave the Spanish capital in a good position to return to the Champions League final 20 years after their last appearance.

What the game lacked in the dizzying goal rush of Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-4 win over Bayern Munich in the other semi-final the night before, it replaced with tension and a desperation not to fall behind.

Toilet paper rained down from the stands of the Metropolitano stadium minutes before kick-off, in a striking — if wasteful — display, which invited cynical jokes from some quarters about the calibre of the spectacle ahead.

In a tussle between arguably the continent’s two biggest teams never to lay a finger on the trophy neither wanted to blink first.

Atletico still have an outdated defensive reputation but pinned Mikel Arteta’s miserly Arsenal back in the early stages, with David Raya tipping Alvarez’s shot around the post.

The Gunners, a long way from Arteta’s eve-of-the-game demand that they dominate proceedings, looked to smash and grab, with Marc Pubill blocking from Martin Odegaard on a quick breakaway.

Noni Madueke, starting on Arsenal’s right flank with Bukayo Saka only fit for the bench, hammered just wide from distance as last year’s beaten semi-finalists sporadically emerged from their half.

The next time they did, Gyokeres won a penalty. The Swedish striker, who might not have started if Kai Havertz was fit, exchanged passes with Martin Zubimendi and Hancko clumsily shoved him in the back from behind.

Diego Simeone and Atletico veteran Antoine Griezmann begged for the decision to be reviewed but VAR saw no reason to intervene.

Gyokeres took the spot-kick himself, walloping it past Jan Oblak, who dived the right way but stood no chance of keeping it out.

Atletico battle back

Three-time runners-up Atletico, back in the semi-finals for the first time in nine years, came out guns blazing in the second half.

Raya saved Ademola Lookman’s drive with Gabriel blocking Griezmann’s follow-up.

The hosts pulled level from the penalty spot after White handled Marcos Llorente’s shot, the ball bouncing up and hitting his arm, which was away from his body.

Alvarez took it, and having missed in Atletico’s Copa del Rey final shoot-out defeat earlier in April, this time made no mistake with an unforgiving blast rivalling Gyokeres’s first-half effort.

MLS-bound Griezmann looped a shot off the crossbar and then sent the rebound off target as Atletico turned the screw in pursuit of an advantage to take into next Tuesday’s second leg.

Nigeria international Lookman twice came close and could end up ruing his missed chances.

Arsenal thought they had won a second penalty when substitute Eze went down under a sluggish Hancko challenge but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review, deciding the Slovakian defender’s contact was minimal.

Arsenal next take on Fulham as they continue their battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title, while with little to play for in La Liga Simeone will rotate heavily, before this tie is decided in London.

AFP

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday approved ₦2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuban, Jos, while also urging Plateau State leaders to commit to lasting peace and address the root causes of recurring violence in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, during an interactive meeting with a 32-man delegation from Plateau State, in fulfilment of the President’s earlier promise to engage stakeholders following the violence in Jos North Local Government Area.

At the end of the meeting, Plateau leaders pledged renewed commitment to peace, acknowledging the need to work together to end long-standing conflicts in the state.

At the interactive session, which lasted about three hours, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mohammed Dorro, announced that President Tinubu had approved the ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuban attack.

According to Onanuga, the President directed stakeholders, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, to return home with open minds and prioritise peacebuilding by reviewing past government White Papers on security crises and implementing workable recommendations.

“As leaders, you must go back home, summon a leadership meeting among yourselves, take the gazette, review the previous recommendations and agree to implement the White Paper,” the President said.

He urged them to identify unresolved issues and present practical solutions for federal consideration.

President Tinubu also called for tolerance among residents, stressing that peace must be prioritised over ethnic, religious, or political divisions.

“Let us first of all accept one resolution – tolerance for every inhabitant… If people are being recruited to provoke anger, conflict and killings, it is you, the leaders, that should first of all examine yourselves,” he said.

He emphasised that Plateau State, known historically for peaceful coexistence, must reclaim that identity through deliberate leadership action.

“No protocols, no hinderances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos. Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?” he added.

The President also warned against allowing divisive elements to destabilise communities, urging leaders to promote justice, fairness, and inclusion while ensuring all residents feel a sense of belonging.

He further instructed the state government to identify and expose individuals responsible for instigating violence so they can face the law.

In response, Governor Mutfwang thanked the President for his sustained support and commitment to peace in Plateau State.

He noted that the meeting marked the first time all former governors of the state had gathered in one room, describing it as a sign of renewed unity and collective resolve.

“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the plateau; that we want to be together,” the governor said.

He pledged that leaders would build on the momentum to strengthen unity and address poverty by transforming conflict into development opportunities.

“We are determined more than ever to close all our gaps, ensure that we rise above all the divides of religion and ethnicity, and build a state we can all be proud of,” he said.

“Having gathered this momentum, we want to assure you, by God’s grace, that we will build on it to tell a better story in the years to come.”

He also assured the President of the state’s support in national development efforts.

In his remarks, the Gbong Gwon Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, praised President Tinubu for his leadership and peace initiatives in Plateau State.

He called for increased security presence, including troop deployment and CCTV installations, and renewed support for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

He also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian visits and relief support to victims of previous attacks.

Members of the delegation, including youth representatives, stressed the importance of sincerity among leaders in sustaining peace efforts, warning that lasting peace would not be possible without genuine commitment.

The delegation included former governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, serving and former public office holders, and representatives of youth groups, all of whom pledged to support the peace process in Plateau State.

Public outrage has trailed a viral video showing a woman allegedly assaulting her 15-year-old daughter at 32 Tashoro Street, near Ipaja in Lagos State.

The disturbing footage, which surfaced in the early hours of Wednesday April 29, showed a woman in a yellow shirt straddling the teenager while holding a knife above her after reportedly beating her near the entrance of a residential compound.

Bystanders were seen intervening during the incident, though the condition of the girl remained unclear.

The video was shared by an X user identified as #Dir_Martinsz, who wrote,, “A 15 years old is mistreated and abused by her mother. And stab the 15 years old girl. 

“Please let nigeria come for her rescue and tag right authorities  check quote for video The location is 32 tashoro street, opeki bus stop off ayobo road.”

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many users calling on the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police or Lagos State authorities regarding the incident.

Watch the video below