Late Kai Havertz goal gives Arsenal 1-0 win over Sporting in cagey Champions League encounter in Lisbon | OneFootball

Arsenal have a narrow lead to take to London in the Champions League quarter-final after substitute Kai Havertz converted a stoppage time goal, brilliantly set up by another substitute Gabriel Martinelli for a 1-0 over Sporting.

It was a cruel blow for the hosts after a cagey match of few chances. Sporting fans gave their team a good send-off despite the defeat, but truth be told, despite competing well, the home team failed to truly test David Raya.

Captain Morten Hjulmand will be back for the second leg having served his suspension, but this result will further strengthen Arsenal’s strong favouritism to make the semi-finals. Tom Kundert reports from the José Alvalade stadium.

Sporting’s Maxi Araújo tussles for the ball with former team-mate Viktor Gyökeres. (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Woodwork denies Sporting early doors

Looking to extend a record run of 17 consecutive victories at Alvalade, Sporting almost got off to a dream start. Diomande threaded a superb through ball to Maxi Araújo who took a touch before slamming the ball against the bar.

With Arsenal struggling to clear, Sporting won a free kick on the edge of the box. Trincão’s effort was blocked, with Maxi Araújo again not far away with his follow-up effort from outside the box just clearing the crossbar.

After weathering the storm, Arsenal began to get a foothold in the game, Noni Madueke causing plenty of problems with his dribbling on the right wing.

A header from a free kick won by Madueke went just wide and the winger then hit a wicked in-swinging corner straight onto the bar.

Sporting were now struggling to get out of their own half, with Arsenal, as expected, looking extremely dangerous from set pieces, but the home defence held firm.

Half time: 0-0

The second half followed the same pattern, with neither side willing to take risks and chances hard to come by.

Martin Odegaard forced Rui Silva into a sprawling save. At the other end a neat move by Sporting saw Maxi set up a chance for Trincão but the Portugal international did not catch the ball cleanly and the shot bobbled wide.

Sporting survived a scare in the 64th minute when Zubimendi fired into the net from the top of the box, but the goal was ruled out for a Vicktor Gyökeres offside in the buildup.

Former Sporting cult hero Gyökeres was largely anonymous all night, the Swede at last getting a shot away, but it was easily gathered by Rui Silva.

Geny goes close

Just when it seemed the game was drifting to a goalless draw, the hosts found a burst of energy with a spell of pressure leading to two chances for Geny Catamo, the Mozambican firing wide then seeing his header saved by Raya after good work by Luis Suárez.

The two combined soon afterwards, Catamo’s effort stopped by Raya with Suárez unable to bundle the rebound home.

As the officials signalled two minutes of stoppage time, Arsenal struck the killer blow. Martinelli shimmied past his marker, cut infield and dinked a delightful chip into the path of Havertz, who made no mistake.

Sporting travel to the Emirates with a huge task on their hands but will certainly not relinquish the chance of extending their best ever Champions League run without a fight.

Sporting: Rui Silva, Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Maxi Araújo, João Simões (Daniel Bragança, 61’), Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Luis Suárez, Pedro Gonçalves (Rafel Nel, 78’)