Arsenal scored the winning goal late on against Sporting Lisbon to take a 1-0 advantage into the first leg back in London next week.
Published April 7, 2026
Kai Havertz grabbed the winning goal in the last minute as Arsenal bounced back from their domestic woes to beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Mikel Arteta’s side arrived at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday reeling from back-to-back defeats against Manchester City in the League Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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The Gunners were once again below their best, but emerged victorious thanks to Sporting’s lack of sharpness and Havertz’s clinical finishing in stoppage time.
Arsenal are solid favorites to advance to the semi-finals with the second leg to be played in north London on April 15, but they need to improve significantly if they are to win their first tournament.
The heartbreaking defeats against City and second-tier Southampton were the first times Arsenal have lost back-to-back games this term, while the humiliating defeat in the FA Cup was the Gunners’ fifth of the season.
Arsenal struggled to find momentum in Lisbon and the fallout was still being felt, but they found a way to pull off an ugly win, not for the first time this season.
Arsenal aim to finally shake off accusations of being almost a man in English football by winning their first major trophy since the FA Cup in 2020, but they face sharp questions over a perceived lack of mental toughness.
The victory in Lisbon was a fitting response to the critics.
Arteta insisted his players were “hungrier than ever” and urged Arsenal to use the “pain” of their recent defeat as motivation and they rose to the challenge.
The Premier League leaders, nine points behind second-placed Manchester City, are also on track to win their first title in 22 years.
Sporting, who reached the last eight for the first time since 1983, have won 17 games in a row at home and are a dangerous opponent for Arsenal.
Arsenal were still without Julian Timber, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka due to injuries, but Declan Rice returned after missing the game against Southampton and the recent friendly against England.
David Raya also returned to Arsenal’s goal after missing the last two games, and the Spaniard immediately made his presence felt.
Ousmane Diomando’s deft pass cut through the Arsenal defence, before Maxi Araujo’s powerful shot was cleared and Raya hit the crossbar with all his might.
Raya was forced into action again, denying Genny Katamo’s low drive from an acute angle inside the penalty area.
Arsenal were trailing but almost gave them the lead when Noni Madueke hit an inswinging corner kick off the bar.
Unable to establish an attacking rhythm in their own half surrounded by a cage, Arsenal took 42 minutes before getting a shot on target.
However, Martin Odegaard’s shot from the edge of the area hit Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva.
Arteta’s frustration was evident as he encouraged Maduke and Ben White to press more when Sporting were in possession.
Arsenal improved slightly after half-time, with Leandro Trossard dragging his shot wide from 18 yards, while Odegaard almost equalized Silva with a free-kick just after half-time.
Manager Martin Zvimendi thought he had given Arsenal the lead in the 63rd minute with a close-range shot, but the midfielder’s goal was ruled out for offside against Victor Gokeres.
Arsenal’s injury problems worsened as Odegaard and Trossard limped off.
Sporting almost scored late on, when Luis Suarez’s cross reached Katamo and he flicked a header home, but Raya turned the ball home.
However, Arsenal grabbed the winning goal in stoppage time thanks to Arteta coming on as a substitute.
Gabriel Martinelli played a great pass past the Sporting defense, Havertz beat the offside trap and slotted past Silva from 10 yards out, and Arteta threw a jubilant punch.
