Kai Havertz came off the bench and scored a 91st-minute winner as Arsenal clinched a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon.
Just when it seemed a cagey game was heading for a stalemate, Havertz produced a brilliantly composed finish from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli’s pass to give Arsenal a potentially crucial advantage ahead of next week’s second leg.
The Gunners were indebted to David Raya for keeping the scores level before that, with the goalkeeper having superbly tipped a Maxi Araujo shot onto the crossbar early in the game before making vital saves from Geny Catamo and Luis Suarez late on.
Arsenal had a Martin Zubimendi goal ruled out by VAR for an offside against Viktor Gyokeres but created few other chances before Havertz’s late strike clinched a classic European away win which included another impressive show of defensive resilience.
The result ensures a positive response to their consecutive cup losses to Manchester City and Southampton and puts Arsenal on course to reach back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.
In addition to Raya’s outstanding performance in goal and Havertz’s coolly-taken winner, there was a historic landmark for Max Dowman.
At 16 years and 97 days old, the Arsenal substitute became the youngest player in Champions League knockout history, beating a record previously held by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Arsenal now turn their attention back to their Premier League title charge as they prepare to face Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off before the second leg against Sporting next Wednesday.
