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Arsenal 0-0 Villareal
Arsenal win 1-0 on aggregate.
A goal from Carlo Toure in the First Leg was all it took for Arsenal to advance through the Semi-Finals against Villareal to reach their first European Championship Final ever.
In a high impact, fast moving showing of English football against Spanish football, Arsenal and Villareal both had counter-move after counter-move for every ball played during the game.
Neither team outclassed the other, however Villareal - deemed the under dogs - were almost constantly on the attack throughout. Arsenals defense stood up to the challenge and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann played one of his best games this season.
In another game with a dodgy penalty decision given, Villareal were given a last chance lifeline by the referee. Argentine Riquelme stepped up and thundered the ball to Lehmanns left side, but the German was equal and in one swift dive summed up Villareals day.
As the final whistle blew, the Arsenal team and their fans at the stadium were on their feet, celebrating, crying and maybe even hyperventilating with joy as for the first time ever in their history, they have reached the final of the Champions League.
Arsenal will head to France to take on either Barcelona or AC Milan, who play tomorrow night in the second of the Semi-Final Second Legs - Barcelona lead AC Milan by a goal to nil. |
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