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Arsenal have taken an advantage in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a win. Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner as the Gunners claimed a vital 1-0 victory against Sporting CP in the first leg on Tuesday night at Estádio José Alvalade.
The German striker finished clinically from Gabriel Martinelli’s assist in the 91st minute, handing Mikel Arteta’s side a slender advantage ahead of the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on April 15.
Arsenal secures narrow 1-0 lead over Sporting CP in Champions League quarter-final first leg
David Raya was Arsenal’s standout performer, producing several crucial saves, including one described by fans as one of the saves of the season, to keep a resilient Sporting side at bay. The Portuguese champions, unbeaten at home in the competition this season, dominated large portions of the match but failed to convert their pressure into goals.
Arsenal, coming off recent domestic setbacks, showed functional defending and clinical efficiency late on despite a lack of overall fluency. They have recently been eliminated from two tournaments, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
The result breaks Sporting’s strong home record and gives Arteta’s side momentum as they aim to reach the semi-finals for the first time in recent years. The Premier League table toppers will now look to build on this hard-fought away win at home, where they are expected to be strong favourites to progress.
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