Arsenal Edge Sporting CP With Late Kai Havertz Goal in Champions League Quarter-Final

Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on April 7, 2026. A late goal from Kai Havertz provided the Gunners with a narrow advantage heading into the second leg in London.

The match, held in Lisbon at the Estádio José Alvalade, remained scoreless for the majority of the duration. Havertz, who entered the match as a substitute, scored in the final minute of stoppage time to seal the result.

Match Highlights and Key Moments

Arsenal faced early pressure in the opening five minutes. Sporting CP nearly took the lead when Ousmande Diomande provided an outside-of-the-boot pass to Maxi Araujo, whose shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The Gunners had opportunities to score earlier in the game. A free-kick from Martin Odegaard nearly resulted in an own goal by Diomande, and a subsequent corner delivery from Noni Madueke hit the top of the bar before Odegaard fired the loose ball wide.

In the 64th minute, Martin Zubimendi appeared to have given Arsenal the lead with a curled effort from 20 yards that found the near post. However, the goal was overturned by VAR due to an offside infringement by Viktor Gyokeres during the build-up.

David Raya played a pivotal role in maintaining the clean sheet. He produced a low save to his left to deny Geny Catamo after Luis Suarez beat Riccardo Calafiori on the right wing. Raya also made a double-save at close range to stop efforts from Catamo and Suarez.

The deadlock was finally broken in stoppage time. Gabriel Martinelli delivered a cross that allowed Havertz to bring the ball down and slot it past goalkeeper Rui Silva.

Context and Team Form

The win on April 7, 2026, snapped a two-game losing streak for Arsenal. Prior to this match, the club suffered a 2-1 defeat against Southampton and a loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, the latter of which ended their pursuit of a quadruple.

Arsenal remains the only team in the Champions League yet to suffer a defeat in the current competition. They finished at the top of the table during the league phase and previously defeated Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.

The fixture also marked a return to the Estádio José Alvalade for Viktor Gyokeres, who had previously scored 97 goals in 103 games for Sporting CP before joining Arsenal. The last time Arsenal visited the stadium in November 2024, they won 5-1.

Statistically, Sporting CP has struggled against the English side, failing to secure a win in six encounters with Arsenal, resulting in three draws and three losses.

Looking Ahead

Arsenal now holds a one-goal lead as the quarter-final tie moves to London. The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium.