Arsenal claimed their first-ever European knockout victory on Portuguese soil at the seventh attempt, as a late goal from Kai Havertz secured a 1-0 win over Sporting CP in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The match began cautiously, with both sides struggling to create clear chances. Sporting came closest early on when Maxi Araújo unleashed a powerful left-footed strike, but David Raya produced an excellent save to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Arsenal took time to settle, with their first real opportunity coming 10 minutes later, though former Sporting forward Viktor Gyökeres was comfortably kept away from danger.

Noni Madueke, stepping in for the injured Bukayo Saka, nearly produced a spectacular moment as he struck the bar directly from a corner.

Sporting remained compact defensively, often dropping into a back five whenever Arsenal pushed forward, which limited the visitors’ attacking rhythm.

As the first half wore on, Sporting struggled to involve their key attacker Luis Suárez, and the hosts managed just three touches inside Arsenal’s penalty area.

By the break, neither side had truly taken control of the game, although Arsenal may have felt more frustrated after failing to make the most of several deliveries into the box.

The match continued in a similar pattern after the break, with Declan Rice playing a key role in breaking up Sporting’s attacks at their source.

Martin Ødegaard tested Rui Silva with a lofted free-kick, while Trincão forced David Raya into action with a low shot that had the goalkeeper moving quickly across his goal.

Shortly after the hour mark, Martín Zubimendi thought he had given Arsenal the lead with a curling effort from outside the box, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Rice remained influential throughout, repeatedly regaining possession and helping Arsenal maintain control, finishing the game with 13 recoveries.

With seven minutes remaining, Raya once again came to Arsenal’s rescue, producing a superb one-handed save to deny Geny Catamo’s well-placed header.

Deep into stoppage time, Kai Havertz delivered the decisive moment, firing a low drive past Rui Silva to secure victory for the visitors and silence the home crowd.

The result extends Sporting’s winless run against Arsenal to eight matches (D4, L4). However, their ability to frustrate the Gunners for long spells will give them confidence heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.