President Paul Kagame on Wednesday attended the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal F.C., which ended in a 1–1 draw in Madrid.
The match, played at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, saw both teams score from the penalty spot in a closely contested encounter. Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring for Arsenal before Julián Álvarez equalised for Atlético Madrid, ensuring the tie remains finely balanced.
Despite limited clear-cut chances from open play, both sides showed tactical discipline and intensity, reflecting the high stakes of a semi-final at Europe’s top level. The result leaves qualification for the final wide open ahead of the return leg scheduled for next week at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
The presence of President Paul Kagame at the match highlights Rwanda’s continued engagement in international football through its “Visit Rwanda” partnerships with leading European clubs, including Atlético Madrid and Arsenal. The branding has maintained strong visibility during the latter stages of the competition, particularly as partner teams progress deep into the tournament.
The Madrid fixture followed Kagame’s visit to Paris a day earlier on Tuesday, where Paris Saint-Germain secured a narrow 5–4 victory over Bayern Munich in another semi-final first leg. The match featured a series of attacking displays, with Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and France international Ousmane Dembélé each scoring twice to give the French side a slight advantage heading into the second leg.
Kagame attended the Paris match alongside PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Both Atlético Madrid and Arsenal are aiming to reach the UEFA Champions League final and secure a first title in the competition. Atlético Madrid’s closest attempt came in 2016, when they finished as runners-up to Real Madrid, while Arsenal’s only final appearance was in 2006, ending in defeat to Barcelona.
As the decisive second legs approach, several “Visit Rwanda” partner clubs remain in strong contention, highlighting Rwanda’s growing presence and strategic positioning within global football through high-profile partnerships and international exposure.
