Champions League: Havertz’s injury-time winner gives Arsenal a slim lead in the quarter-finals

Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz scored in stoppage time in a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

The German striker was found unnoticed in the penalty area by Gabriel Martinelli before calmly sliding the ball past goalkeeper Rui Silva to settle a tactical duel.

After a first half that saw Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke hit the woodwork, Martin Zubimendi had an effort disallowed before David Raya produced several late saves to deny the home side.

The deadlock was eventually broken in extra time by Havertz, who replaced the injured Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, to secure the lead for the second leg next week.

«Beautiful and that’s the impact you need when you get to this stage of the season. Everyone has to make an impact and they certainly did that tonight,» Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Amazon Prime about the winner.

«We had a goal disallowed, and there were two or three occasions where we were close but we missed that last pass. In the end, a moment of magic from the finishers won us the game.»

The winner of the tie will face Barcelona or Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals, which play at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

ARSENAL REDEMPTION

Arsenal arrived in Lisbon looking to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final win over second-tier Southampton and will be happy with the win, but the sight of captain Odegaard limping away will worry Arteta.

The Norwegian midfielder appeared to be struggling throughout the match, having recently returned from a long-term injury.

The first half was a cagey affair, with the woodwork denying either side an opening goal. Araujo came close to the home side and saw his powerful left-foot strike rebound off the post after breaking into the penalty area in the opening minutes.

However, Arsenal grew into the match and almost led through Madueke. The winger rose to reach an outswinging corner but his header hit the crossbar as Silva was beaten.

Despite the near misses, both teams struggled to find a consistent rhythm, with the tie remaining in the balance heading into the second half.

Arsenal thought they had made the breakthrough shortly after the hour mark when Zubimendi curled the ball into the net at the near post, but it was disallowed after a VAR review showed former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres had been offside in the build-up.

RAYA WINS PLAYER OF THE MATCH

With the hosts dominating the latter stages, Raya was forced into several crucial interventions, including a diving save to deflect Geny Catamo’s low header for a corner, with the Spaniard’s performance earning Player of the Match honors.

«It’s something I’m for. I try to help the team as much as possible in every action, not only defensively, but also commanding and on the ball,» Raya said.

The match looked to be heading for a draw until a late error from the Sporting defense gave Havertz space to control the ball and find a clinical finish to put Arsenal in the driver’s seat.

The result marks a return to winning ways for Arsenal after successive defeats, including FA Cup exit and defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final.

“We have had two defeats, learn from those moments, that pain when you lose a match,” Raya added.

«Use that stomach ache to go out and express yourself, be yourself and try to get better every day. That’s the most important message we need to get out there.»

Premier League leaders Arsenal will look to keep the momentum going when they host Bournemouth on Saturday.

Published on April 8, 2026