Arsenal’s Premier League leader secured an excellent position in the Champions League quarter-finals against Sporting Lisbon, thanks to Kai Havertz’s effort. Havertz, who came on 20 minutes before the end, scored the 1-0 (0-0) winning goal in the first minute of stoppage time in the first leg. The return leg will take place next Wednesday in London.
In the rainy match in Lisbon, the ball control-focused Gunners were put under pressure by the Portuguese double winner from the start. This led to the first real chance in the 6th minute by left-back Maxi Araujo, whose powerful shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar. Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya managed to touch it with his fingertips.
The English guests showed themselves in front of the Sporting goal for the first time after about fifteen minutes, mainly through set pieces. A sharp free-kick from captain Martin Odegaard towards the Portuguese goal resulted in Sporting clearing the ball off the line for a corner, which Noni Madueke hit directly onto the crossbar.
Arsenal then took even more control and focused on securing their own goal. The supposed lead goal was disallowed by German referee Daniel Siebert after consulting VAR Bastian Dankert due to an offside position (64th minute). Havertz then calmly scored the crucial goal in stoppage time, standing in front of the goal.
