Havertz’s Late Strike Gives Arsenal Edge Over Sporting

Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner to hand Arsenal a crucial 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.

The German midfielder, introduced from the bench, made the difference in the 91st minute at the Estádio José Alvalade. He calmly finished off a pass from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested match that had looked set to end goalless.

Arsenal owed much of their success to goalkeeper David Raya, who delivered an outstanding performance to keep the hosts at bay. Raya made a series of key saves, including an early effort from Maxi Araújo that he tipped onto the crossbar, and late stops to deny Geny Catamo and Luis Suárez.

Sporting thought they had taken the lead at one point, but a goal by Martin Zubimendi was ruled out following a VAR review for offside against Viktor Gyökeres.

The win provides a timely boost for Mikel Arteta’s side after recent domestic cup setbacks against Manchester City and Southampton. Arsenal will now head into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium with a slim advantage and strong hopes of reaching consecutive Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.