Sporting 0-1 Arsenal – Havertz grabs late, late winner for Gunners
Former Chelsea man Havertz comes up with the goods
Kai Havertz came off the bench to steal a vital first-leg advantage for Arsenal in their Champions League quarter final against Sporting.
Martin Zubimendi had a goal disallowed as Mikel Arteta’s side pushed for a goal – but they needed David Raya to make a couple of fine saves too.
The game looked sure to finish goalless but Gabriel Martinelli picked out fellow sub Havertz with a fine pass and the Germany international poked home an assured finish.
Havertz won the Champions League for Chelsea back in 2021 and could again prove a key player in the run in after an injury-hit season.
Arsenal sent on Max Dowman who, at 16 years and 97 days, became the youngest player to appear in the knockout stages of the Champions League in the competition’s history, overtaking Lamine Yamal against Napoli in February 2024 (16y 223d).
Arteta’s side headed into the game following consecutive defeats for the first time this season, which reduced their trophy aspirations from four to two.
But this was the perfect tonic for the Gunners as they bid to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season in a row for the first time in their history, and a timely boost ahead of their Premier League home match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Arsenal nearly endured a nightmare start in Portugal. Within the first five minutes, Raya was forced into a world-class save, tipping Maxi Araujo’s effort onto the crossbar after a defence-splitting pass by Ousmande Diomande.
The Spaniard was called upon again late in the second half, producing a stunning double save to deny Geny Catamo and Luis Suárez from close range. It was a masterclass in goalkeeping that kept the Gunners level when Sporting looked most likely to break the deadlock.
The visitors thought they had found the breakthrough in the 64th minute when Zubimendi curled a brilliant strike into the bottom corner. However, the celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled that Viktor Gyökeres – facing his former club – was offside in the buildup.
With the second leg to come in north London next week Arsenal are well placed to repeat last season’s run to the last four.