Kai faster than full-time whistle! Havertz's added-time heroics bring Arsenal on the verge of UCL semis

The first leg is over, and even though everything is still open, Arsenal made a huge step towards the Champions League semi-finals!

In a duel of two very cautious teams, the Gunners were on the ropes on several occasions, but they eventually managed to get away with a minimal 1-0 victory thanks to Mikel Arteta’s super sub Kai Havertz, who scored the vital winner in the 91st minute!

Even though the Gunners were the favorites and despite their fans' undoubtedly high expectations, the visitors can be satisfied with the result, especially given their poor performance before the break.

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In the opening 45 minutes, each side hit the woodwork once, though the impression was that the Lions were a better team.

Arteta’s crew woke up after the break, threatened several times, and even scored midway through the period, but Martin Zubimendi’s goal did not stand due to Viktor Gyokeres’ offside.

And then, Havertz appeared and sealed the deal for the visitors, who will await the return leg in London with a colossal advantage and a huge chance to progress to their second consecutive UCL semi-finals.

What could have been expected ahead of the clash in Lisbon was either a low-key beginning or Arsenal's dominance. Neither happened.

The Gunners were quite lost for the entire first half, and they were fortunate not to be down at the break. The home team was much better organized, while their passion made up for the lack of quality compared to the rivals.

Six minutes into the game, Maximiliano Araujo had a massive chance, but David Raya's slight touch and the crossbar saved Arsenal. Ben White was specifically subpar, as he was most often the target of Sporting's attacks, turning out to be the weakest link in the visitors' defence.

The only bright spot in a rather gloomy performance of Mikel Arteta's men was the 15th minute, when Noni Madueke hit the bar straight from a corner kick, while Martin Odegaard fired the rebound wide off the post.

The London side's poor recent form and two cup defeats - especially the latest one to the second-tier side Southampton - apparently left a mark on the players' confidence and display, and Arteta definitely had what to say to his lads in the locker room during the break.

The Gunners opened the second period with a better energy and two so-so attempts by Leandro Trossard and Odegaard. However, one thing on their team remained constant - White and his immense troubles with Araujo, which perfectly indicated how important Jurrien Timber's presence on the pitch is for the Premier League table-toppers.

In the 63th minute, Arsenal managed to crown their better display after the break with Martin Zubimendi's long-range opener, but the goal was ruled out for Viktor Gyokeres' offside, keeping the rivals level.

In the remaining half an hour, neither side managed to prevail. The Gunners were slightly better, but failed to make it count, while Sporting's Mozambican Geny Catamo could have stunned the visitors in the dying minutes, but Raya stopped two of his dangerous efforts

When the referee Daniel Siebert added only two minutes, no one believed there was time for an eventual winner. However, Kai Havertz did not agree! The German was faster than the final whistle, netting a vital winner in the 91st minute and bringing an immense advantage to Arsenal ahead of the second leg in London!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - QUARTER FINALS

First leg

Tuesday

Real Madrid - Bayern Munich 1-2 (0-1)

/Mbappe 74 - Diaz 41, Kane 46/

Sporting Lisbon - Arsenal 0-1 (0-0)

/Havertz 90+1/

Wednesday

22.00: (1.55) Barcelona (5.00) Atl.Madrid (5.10)

22.00: (1.75) PSG (4.20) Liverpool (4.30)

***odds are subject to change***