Sporting CP vs Arsenal

Arsenal claimed a precious away win at the Estádio José Alvalade as substitute Kai Havertz broke Sporting CP's resolve in the 91st minute, handing the Gunners a 1-0 first-leg advantage in the Champions League quarter-finals. Havertz, introduced in the 70th minute, latched onto a precise ball from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli and slotted coolly past Rui Silva. It capped a dramatic finish after Arsenal had been denied by VAR midway through the second half — Viktor Gyökeres, facing his former club, was ruled offside to chalk off what would have been the opener. David Raya also stood tall with a crucial 87th-minute save to deny Luis Suárez and protect the clean sheet. The defeat ends Sporting's remarkable 17-game home winning run, leaving Rui Borges's side needing to overturn the deficit at the Emirates in the second leg. For Arsenal — navigating the tie without injured duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze — it's a hard-earned foothold as they chase a historic first back-to-back Champions League semi-final appearance.