Arsenal Edge Sporting CP with Late Havertz Strike in Champions League Quarter-Final
Sports Updated: 08 April 2026 00:04 EAT
Photo Credit: The Arsenal on x
Arsenal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Sporting CP in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 quarter-final tie on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The only goal came in stoppage time, when Kai Havertz converted a precise cross from Gabriel Martinelli to give the visitors a crucial advantage heading into the second leg.
The match began with Sporting CP pressing aggressively, testing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya early on. Maximiliano Araújo struck the crossbar, and Luis Suárez created several threatening opportunities, but Arsenal’s defence held firm. The Gunners gradually settled into the game, with Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres orchestrating attacks, yet both sides failed to break the deadlock before half-time.
In the second half, the game remained tightly contested, with tactical discipline dominating proceedings. Arsenal had a goal disallowed for offside, while Sporting CP continued to look dangerous on the counter. Both teams displayed strong defensive organisation, limiting clear-cut chances and keeping the tension high as the match approached its final minutes.
The breakthrough finally came in stoppage time when Havertz latched onto Martinelli’s cross, scoring the decisive goal. The strike not only sealed Arsenal’s win but also delivered a valuable away goal that could prove decisive in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium. The late drama highlighted the fine margins in high-stakes European competition.
A notable moment during the match was the debut of a 16-year-old Arsenal substitute, who became the youngest player to appear in a Champions League quarter-final. This historic appearance added an extra layer of significance to the match, showcasing Arsenal’s blend of youthful talent and experience.
With the first leg complete, Arsenal now hold the advantage as they prepare to host Sporting CP in the second leg. Sporting will be seeking a strong home performance to overturn the deficit, while Arsenal aim to maintain their defensive solidity and capitalize on their away goal to progress to the semi-finals.
Arteta: “I'm very happy to win away from home. And what are the fans of the Champions League? It's a team that they haven't lost, I don't know, for how long at home? (17) I think the last time was probably in Europe as well, so that's the difficulty of it.”
Arteta: “I think we have to reveal ourselves today and I talk about identity and other things that we are as a team that I definitely saw that tonight.”
Arteta: “It's half time. We had a step closer. Now we need to finish the tie at home in front of our people. If we do that. We're gonna start to dream.”
Arteta on substitutes: “Beautiful. That's the impact that you need when you get to this stage in the season. Everybody has to make an impact and they've certainly done that tonight.”
Arteta on Havertz: “He loves a big occasion and the big games and that's what we need the big players to turn up when we need them and to win us the game.”
Arteta On responding to the last two games: "That's when you have a difficult period, the best thing you can do is observe. See how they react, how they look at you, how they judge you. Do they start to criticise other people?
"I cannot be prouder to be at a club where all they do is ask how to help."
Arteta On David Raya: "He is extraordinary, incredible. With that it is enough, we are very happy to have him."
Arteta On the game plan being to stop them in the first half, win it in the second: "Yes and if we can do that on top of that score three goals the even better...We know that the atmosphere here is something they create is really dangerous. They are a team that create big problems"
"In a lot of things, yes. And especially on the things that depend on us. Not about quality or execution. Those are the things that have brought us here, but the rest we have it."
Kai Havertz on the assist from Gabriel Martinelli: “Top! So much quality that guy.
“Obviously, as a striker or attacking midfielder, you always wait for these moments. He made it so well, so credit to Martinelli.”
Kai Havertz on bouncing back after two losses: “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 happened.”
Kai Havertz: “We stick together as a group. 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.”
Kai Havertz on David Raya: “Unbelievable. I think still 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.”
Tags: Arsenal Arsenal Fc Champions League Editor's Pick Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya The Arsenal Football Club Uefa Uefa Champions League Article Sporting CP Sports Article Sports Commentary Sports Journalism
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD