Kai Havertz (foto: Getty Images)
Kai Havertz scored in stoppage time to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over Sporting in Lisbon, securing a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg.
Arsenal secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the José Alvalade Stadium.
The decisive moment came in the 90th minute, when Kai Havertz struck to give the London side a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.
Sporting started the match strongly and nearly took the lead early on.
In the 6th minute, Araujo unleashed a powerful shot from inside the box that crashed against the crossbar, warning Arsenal of the danger.
Arsenal responded quickly with one of their most dangerous weapons this season.
In the 15th minute, Noni Madueke delivered a clever corner that went directly toward goal, but it also hit the crossbar.
As the match progressed, Arsenal took control of possession and began to dictate the tempo.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead in the 64th minute, when Martin Zubimendi scored from the edge of the box.
However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, which showed Viktor Gyökeres was offside in the build-up.
The match seemed headed for a draw until the final moments.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli produced a brilliant pass into the penalty area.
Havertz ran onto the ball, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and calmly finished to secure the win.
The result gives Arsenal a valuable edge ahead of the second leg, which will be played at the Emirates Stadium on April 15.
The winner of this tie will face the victor of the all-Spanish clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.