SOCCER: Late Havertz strike gives Arsenal 1-0 lead over Sporting

Kai Havertz scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon.

REUTERS

April 8, 2026

Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring Arsenal's first goal against Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal, on April 7, 2026.

Pedro Nunes / Reuters

LISBON, April 7 – Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

The Germany forward was set up by Gabriel Martinelli, who found him unmarked inside the box. Havertz calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Rui Silva to decide a tactical battle.

Both sides came close in the first half. Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke each hit the woodwork, while a Martin Zubimendi strike for Sporting was disallowed. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya also made several crucial saves late in the match.

Havertz, who replaced the injured Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, broke the deadlock in added time, giving the visitors a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg next Wednesday. -Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters