Sporting CP vs Arsenal LIVE Updates: The Champions League quarterfinals is underway (0-0)

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!