Late-minute explosion, Arsenal clinches a thrilling victory over Sporting CP

(Football result) - Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 win away against Sporting CP, gaining a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg following a solid and composed performance.

Early morning April 8 (Vietnam time), Arsenal faced a challenging away match at Sporting CP's stadium in the first leg of the quarter-finals UEFA Champions League 2025/26. The match unfolded with the intense nature of a top-tier showdown, featuring a tightly contested battle and numerous missed opportunities.

Sporting CP started confidently and quickly applied pressure. In the 7th minute, Maximiliano Araujo's shot struck the crossbar, unsettling Arsenal's defense. The home team consistently exploited the speed of wingers like Geny Catamo, forcing goalkeeper David Raya to work hard with several crucial saves.

After an initial period of being subdued, Arsenal gradually regained control through the mobility of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. The visitors also had a notable chance when Noni Madueke's shot hit the crossbar from a corner situation.

A turning point seemed to arrive at minute 63 when Martin Zubimendi fired a shot into Sporting CP's net. However, after consulting VAR, the referee determined Viktor Gyokeres was offside in the preceding play, resulting in the goal being disallowed. This decision left Arsenal players visibly disappointed.

In the remainder of the match, both teams continued to engage in a back-and-forth battle. Sporting CP increased pressure in the final minutes with a series of chances from Catamo and Luis Suarez, but Raya's excellence kept Arsenal resilient.

As the match entered added time, the final decisive moment emerged. In the 90+1 minute, Kai Havertz capitalized on Gabriel Martinelli's assist to deliver a precise finish, scoring the sole goal of the match.

The narrow 1-0 victory gives Arsenal an advantage heading into the return leg at Emirates Stadium, while Sporting CP undoubtedly has much work to do if they wish to reverse the situation.