Kai Havertz scores late winner as Arsenal beat Sporting in first leg
Kai Havertz struck in the first minute of injury time to hand Arsenal a dramatic victory over Sporting, giving them control of the tie ahead of the second leg.
The late goal came after a tense and anxious performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, who struggled for long periods against a determined Sporting team. Havertz, introduced from the bench, finished calmly from a cross by fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli to seal the win.
Arteta’s reaction on the touchline reflected the importance of the moment. The Arsenal manager, who had cut a frustrated figure throughout the match, sprinted in celebration as the goal finally broke the deadlock.
Sporting had threatened to take advantage of Arsenal’s vulnerability, particularly in the early stages. Within six minutes, Ousmane Diomande split the defence with a precise pass, forcing David Raya into a fingertip save to push Maxi Araújo’s effort onto the crossbar.
Raya’s performance proved crucial as he repeatedly denied Sporting. The goalkeeper made a series of important saves, underlining his value to the team after returning to the starting line-up.
Arsenal, by contrast, struggled to find its rhythm. Their best opportunities came from set-pieces, with Martin Ødegaard failing to hit the target after a chance fell to him following a corner. The visitors lacked creativity in open play and often found themselves under pressure.
Midfield control was partially restored through the partnership of Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi, but Arsenal still found it difficult to create clear openings. Errors in possession added to their difficulties, allowing Sporting to maintain momentum.
Just before half-time, Raya was again called into action after a poor back pass nearly led to a Sporting goal. Ødegaard eventually produced Arsenal’s first shot on target late in the half, though it was easily dealt with by Rui Silva.
The second half saw an improvement in Arsenal’s intent. Ødegaard attempted to spark the attack, forcing Silva into a save from a free-kick, while Gabriel Magalhães came close from a corner.
Sporting continued to pose a threat, with Francisco Trincão dragging a shot wide after a swift move. Arsenal thought they had taken the lead when Zubimendi found the net, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review that confirmed an offside in the build-up.
As the match opened up, both sides pushed for a breakthrough. Sporting came close again, but Raya produced a series of saves, including a double stop to deny Geny Catamo and Luis Suárez.
Arteta responded by introducing Havertz and Martinelli as Arsenal searched for a winning goal. The changes proved decisive in the closing moments.
With time running out, Martinelli delivered a cross into the area, and Havertz finished to secure the victory. The goal eased the tension that had built throughout the match and provided Arsenal with a crucial advantage.
The result moves Arsenal closer to the last four, as they aim to reach the semi-finals for only the fourth time in their history.
Having endured recent defeats in domestic competitions, the victory could provide a timely boost in confidence as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
The tie remains finely balanced, but Arsenal will take momentum into the second leg in north London following Havertz’s decisive late intervention.