Sporting 0-1 Arsenal result - Kai Havertz fires last-gasp winner as Gunners secure first-leg victory in UEFA Champions League quarter-final

Champions League / Quarter-final

Estádio José Alvalade / 07.04.2026

Sporting CP

Finished

Arsenal

K. Havertz(90+1')

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Highlights

22:20

HAVERTZ STRIKE SECURES LATE WIN FOR ARSENAL IN LISBON

Kai Havertz combined superbly with fellow sub Gabriel Martinelli to fire a last-gasp winner as Arsenal secured a late 1-0 victory at Sporting CP in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.

With two minutes added to a taut battle in Libson, Havertz took one touch to control the chipped pass from Martinelli before sliding a majestic finish into the corner of the net.

It leaves Mikel Arteta's side in a strong position ahead of the second leg at the Emirates next Wednesday with a semi-final against Barcelona or Atletico Madrid the reward for the winner.

While Havertz will take the plaudits for his quality, it would not have been possible without the brilliance of visiting goalkeeper David Raya, who made several fine stops.

He somehow nudged a blistering hit by Maxi Araujo onto his bar in the opening exchanges before producing a supreme double stop to deny Geny Catamo and Luis Suarez seconds before Havertz struck.

After defeats to Manchester City (2-0) in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton (2-1) in the FA Cup last eight, this was a welcome return to winning ways for Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders, who also saw Noni Madueke hit the bar with a corner in the first half.

The only concern on the night was captain Martin Odegaard being forced off due to injury on 70 minutes.

Highlights: Raya stars as Havertz nets stoppage-time winner for Arsenal

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:20

KAI HAVERTZ: DAVID RAYA IS BEST IN WORLD

"Unbelievable," said the Arsenal match-winner on Amazon Prime about the Spain goalkeeper.

"I think still he is underestimated in the world of football, but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world.

"He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him.

"To score a late goal is always nice, especially in front of the fans and we take that result.

"Still a lot of work to do next week, but we take the result, for sure.

"Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches. So we wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happen.

"We stick together as a group, and we have so much more to come this season.

"Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles, and we're going to go for that."

22:03

WATCH: HAVERTZ SINKS BATTLING SPORTING WITH SUBLIME FINISH

22:00

GUNNERS WILL HAV A SPOT OF THAT

90+3'

Full time

90+3'

RAYA OFF HIS LINE TO COLLECT THE CROSS

And that is the final move of the match. Sickening late blow for Sporting, but Gunners come up with a supreme finish of quality to secure a 1-0 victory in Lisbon in the closing seconds. Huge win on the night to take back to London for next week's second leg in a buoyant mood.

90+1'

GOAL! SPORTING 0-1 ARSENAL (HAVERTZ)

Kai Havertz with a brilliant first touch and finish from the Martinell ball into the box. Superb move. And that is surely the winner.

Goal

K. HavertzArsenal

88'

RAYA AGAIN COMES UP WITH GOODS IN GOAL FOR GUNNERS

The Arsenal goalkeeper down to make the stop from Geny Catamo and is back up quickly to snuff out the Suarez rebound finish.

87'

RUI SILVA FORCED TO LOOK LIVELY IN SPORTING GOAL

Gabriel Martinelli with a spinning hit from distance. That effort was travelling. Comes off the wet surface, but decent take by the Sporting goalkeeper.

85'

RAYA WITH ANOTHER FINE STOP FOR ARSENAL!

Luis Suarez with some very fine work out wide. Manages to throw over the cross, but Geny Catamo's stooping header is clawed wide by Raya.

83'

ALL ABOUT GAME MANAGEMENT FOR THE GUNNERS

Would surely settle for 0-0 now. Getting out of Lisbon with a clean sheet is surely the priority.

81'

CHANGE FOR THE HOME TEAM

Rafael Nel replaces Pedro Goncalves for the closing moments of this tightly contested joust.

Substitution in

R. NelSporting CP

Substitution out

P. GonçalvesSporting CP

79'

SPORTING CONTINUE TO CAUSE PROBLEMS

Geny Catamo unleashes a low shot from 22 yards. Plenty of pace on the finish, but was never troubling Raya. 0-0 heading for the final 10 minutes.

77'

ARTETA REACHES FOR HIS BENCH WITH A DOUBLE CHANGE

Gabriel Martinelli and Max Dowman arrive to take over from Noni Madueke and Leandro Trossard for the Arsenal.

Substitution in

M. DowmanArsenal

Substitution out

N. MaduekeArsenal

75'

WATCH: MBAPPE GIVES REAL MADRID HOPE AGAINST BAYERN

74'

A BIT OF A BRIGHTER MOMENT FROM THE VISITORS

Madueke with a very decent cross delivered into the heart of the box, but Gyokeres just fails to connect when a dive might well have got him there.

72'

NOT A CLASSIC DUST-UP IN LISBON

Arsenal doing a job tonight in keeping matters tight ahead of the second leg. They'll happily head back to the Emirates with 0-0 you suspect. Ball continues to go backwards and square.

70'

FIRST CHANGE OF THE NIGHT FOR GUNNERS

Kai Havertz replaces Martin Odegaard, who looks like he might have picked up a knock.

Substitution in

K. HavertzArsenal

Substitution out

M. ØdegaardArsenal

68'

DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE A GOAL IS COMING FROM

This has been an extension of the first half with a bit more purpose, but neither side overly content to over commit. A dead leg for Pedro Goncalves. He needs some treatment.

66'

FINALLY AN EFFORT FROM THE FORMER SPORTING FAVOURITE

Viktor Gyokeres showing some neat footwork on the edge of the arena, but no pace on the finish and it ends up rolling into the arms of Rui Silva.

64'

WAS A WONDERFUL STRIKE BY ZUBIMENDI

Curling high into the net left Rui Silva with little chance, but a huge cheer around the ground when the home fans see the VAR call go in their favour. No doubt it was the right call.

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