Kai Havertz scores late winner for Arsenal to secure 1-0 win over Sporting CP in UCL quarterfinals

That’s the end of our live blog, with Arsenal securing a narrow 1-0 win over Sporting CP in Portugal. See you next time!

Arsenal secure a late 1-0 win against Sporting CP in Lisbon, with Kai Havertz as the sole goalscorer of the night.

After a great move by Martinelli to leave his marker behind, the Brazilian sent a lobbed pass to Kai Havertz. The German brought it down with his right foot and finished with his left to finally open the scoring.

Two minutes of stoppage time have been added.

Catamo and Luis Suarez on the rebound both tried to open the scoring, but David Raya rose as Arsenal's hero to prevent the deadlock from being broken.

Arsenal carved out a response, with Gabriel Martinelli stinging the palms of Silva from distance, though the keeper remained composed to make the save.

After a great move from Suarez down the right side, the Colombian delivered a cross that found a teammate, with David Raya making a wonderful save to keep Arsenal's hopes alive.

Sporting caught Arsenal on the counter and strung together a brilliant passing move before the ball found Catamo, who cut inside and curled a shot toward the near post, only for it to clip the outside of the net.

Coach Mikel Arteta decides to make a double substitution on the wings: Gabriel Martinelli and Max Dowman in, Leandro Trossard and Noni Madueke out.

Madueke whipped in a cross with Gyokeres and Trossard waiting in the box, but it evaded everyone and almost crept directly into the net.

Martin Odegaard, who had been visibly struggling with a muscular complaint moments earlier, is replaced by Kai Havertz.

Araujo was caught in possession at the back and gave the ball away, allowing Gyokeres to pounce, but his shot was straightforward for Rui Silva to gather.va.

Zubimendi produced a fine finish after being played in by Ben White, but the celebrations were cut short as Viktor Gyokeres was ruled offside in the build-up, disallowing what would have been the opening goal.

Head coach Rui Borges makes the first substitution of the game, taking Joao Simoes out and bringing Daniel Braganca onto the pitch.

After a slick team move, Araújo delivered a fine cross to Trincao, who struck it first time, but his effort curled just wide of the target.

Whether from open play or set pieces, Arsenal are increasingly turning to crosses and high balls into the box in their search for the opening goal.

Trossard drifted inside and unleashed a low driven shot, but it went just wide of Rui Silva's goal.

Referee Daniel Siebert blows the whistle, and the second half is underway!

Sporting CP and Arsenal are tied 0-0 after the first 45 minutes.

Arsenal won the ball high up the pitch and Odegaard finished off the counterattack with a central right-footed effort, but it was a comfortable save for Rui Silva.

With space at a premium, Diomande decided to try his luck from long range, but his effort sailed well wide of the target.

Arsenal played a dangerous pass back to Raya under pressure, forcing the goalkeeper to hastily clear his lines as Trincao closed him down.

Luís Suarez picks up a yellow card, apparently for dissent toward referee Daniel Siebert, and will now serve a suspension for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Hidemasa Morita is shown the first yellow card of the game after a poorly timed foul on Leandro Trossard on the right side.

Sporting's disciplined low block continues to frustrate Arsenal, who have yet to register a single shot on target despite dominating the ball.

Arsenal have taken control of possession, but Sporting are defending with discipline, sitting compact and cutting off the half spaces to prevent the Gunners from finding a way through.

Arsenal worked another corner kick routine to trouble the Sporting goalkeeper, and when the ball broke to Odegaard inside the box, the Norwegian had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, only to see his effort go wide of the target.

After an accurate cross from Odegaard, Doimande denied Arsenal's opener sending the ball to a corner kick.

Trincao's free kick struck the wall, but the rebound dropped kindly to Araujo, whose follow-up effort flashed narrowly above Raya's goal.

Diomandé played a fine ball forward and Araújo met it with a powerful strike, but Raya got a hand to it and the ball cannoned back off the crossbar, denying Sporting the opening goal.

Neither side has tested the goalkeeper yet, with both teams content to share possession in the early minutes and hold their defensive shape rather than commit to pressing high up the pitch.

Referee Daniel Siebert blows his whistle, and the game between Sporting CP and Arsenal is underway.

While Arsenal enter as one of the favorites for the Champions League title and the clear pick to advance from this quarterfinal tie, Tuesday's first leg could see one of two impressive runs come to an end.

Sporting have been virtually untouchable at Estadio Jose Alvalade this season, winning all five of their home games in the competition, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three. Arsenal, meanwhile, have yet to lose away from home in the Champions League this campaign, posting four wins and a draw with 12 goals scored and only two conceded, setting the stage for something to give when the two sides meet tonight.

The referee selected for Tuesday's match between Sporting CP and Arsenal is Daniel Siebert. The 41-year-old German official has overseen two Arsenal matches previously, with the Gunners winning both, while Sporting CP remain unbeaten under his watch with one win and two draws.

Match officials:

Referee: Daniel Siebert
1st Assistant: Jan Seidel
2nd Assistant: Rafael Foltyn
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager
VAR: Bastian Dankert
VAR assistant: Sören Storks

Looking to bounce back from the Southampton defeat, Arsenal arrive in Lisbon with a star-studded squad, but the absence of Bukayo Saka stands out above all others. The England winger, who also missed the March international break, will not be available against Sporting due to a physical complaint, though he is expected to return for the weekend fixture against Bournemouth.

Coach Mikel Arteta addressed Saka and Jurrien Timber's fitness at Monday's press conference. "They haven't travelled in yet. Let's see, hopefully they're going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well," he said.

Coach Rui Borges has confirmed the starting players to face Arsenal at home (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Ivan Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Goncalo Inacio, Maximiliano Araujo; Hidemasa Morita, Joao Simoes; Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincao, Pedro Goncalves; Luis Javier Suarez.

Head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed the eleven players that'll be from the start against Sporting (4-2-3-1): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Ricardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi; Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Viktor Gyokeres.

The game between Sporting CP and Arsenal will kick off at 3 PM (ET).

You can watch the UEFA Champions League live on Paramount+ and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog for the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals between Sporting CP and Arsenal. Stay tuned for key updates and live minute-by-minute coverage!