Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz strikes late to hand Gunners crucial advantage in Champions League | OneFootball

Arsenal claimed a huge away win in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP, with Kai Havertz scoring late to give the Gunners the advantage heading back to the Emirates.

The first half was cagey, with both sides hitting the crossbar, but chances were otherwise limited as each team struggled to create clear openings.

In the second half, Arsenal pushed for a breakthrough and finally found it in the closing minutes, as Havertz calmly slotted his effort underneath the goalkeeper. The result puts the Gunners in a strong position as they aim to reach back-to-back semi-finals, with the tie now set to be decided at the Emirates next week.

As it happened

The atmosphere inside the Estádio José Alvalade was electric, with Arsenal needing a strong performance to take an advantage back to the Emirates. Sporting CP came into the game having won their last 16 home matches in all competitions.

The hosts created a huge chance inside the opening six minutes, as Ousmane Diomande played a ball over the top to release Maximiliano Araújo down the left. He got the better of Ben White, but David Raya produced a brilliant save to deny an early opener – a big let-off for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side responded well, with Noni Madueke’s corner striking the crossbar before Martin Ødegaard came close, slicing his effort just wide of the right-hand post.

The visitors began to settle into a rhythm, but Sporting remained dangerous on the counter, with their five-at-the-back shape causing problems for Arsenal’s full-backs. The game grew increasingly tense as both sides searched for a breakthrough in a cagey first half.

Sporting finished the half strongly, with Diomande firing over the bar during a promising spell. Ødegaard then had one of Arsenal’s best chances in the 42nd minute after finding space outside the box, but his effort was comfortably saved by Rui Silva, marking the visitors’ first shot on target.

Arteta’s side started the second half strongly, with Leandro Trossard driving to the edge of the box, but the winger dragged his effort wide from a promising position.

Ødegaard then had another opportunity, floating a free-kick into the box that evaded everyone, forcing Silva to react and make a save to deny the Gunners.

Sporting weathered the early pressure and began to grow into the game, creating chances of their own but failing to truly test Raya during a positive spell.

Martín Zubimendi thought he had given Arsenal the lead with a strike from distance, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Viktor Gyökeres following a VAR review – a let-off for the hosts.

Arsenal, who had never previously won away against Portuguese opposition in the knockout stages of a major European competition, continued to search for a breakthrough as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

Raya was called into action again, producing an excellent save to deny Geny Catamo, whose glancing header looked destined for the near post.

Sporting appeared the more likely side to score, but Arsenal’s defence held firm when it mattered most. And it was the visitors who struck late.

Gabriel Martinelli, impressive off the bench, clipped a delicate ball over the top for Havertz, who calmly slotted past Silva to hand the Gunners a crucial late lead heading back to the Emirates.

Arsenal now turn their attention to the Premier League, where they face AFC Bournemouth this weekend, before hosting Sporting in the decisive second leg next week.