Arsenal secured a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with a late goal finally breaking a tense deadlock in Lisbon. In a game where clear chances were limited, one moment of attacking precision proved enough to separate the two sides.
Mikel Arteta’s team had struggled to find rhythm in the final third for much of the night. But when the opportunity arrived deep into stoppage time, Arsenal delivered a move of real quality to seize control of the tie ahead of the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Matt Upson praises Martinelli for that Arsenal goal vs Sporting CP
The winning goal quickly drew praise, with former Arsenal defender Matt Upson offering a clear breakdown of what made the move so effective. Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Upson said:
“What a brilliant goal, Martinelli finds that space all by himself with just sheer pace and sharpness inside the pitch and once he finds that space he doesn’t do bad job of finding that ball. Havertz just strokes it calmly. Lovely worked goal from Arsenal.”
🚨🇪🇺 KAI HAVERTZ HAS WON IT IN THE 91ST MINUTE FOR ARSENAL!
Sporting 0-1 Arsenal.pic.twitter.com/iEQEfj9uLc
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) April 7, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli’s introduction added urgency and penetration to Arsenal’s attack.
With the game drifting toward a goalless draw, the Brazilian took responsibility in the closing moments. He ended up finding space through a sense of acceleration and awareness as he drove forward and lifted a precise pass into Kai Havertz. It was a pass which was a complement of vision with execution, a perfectly weighted ball to unlock Sporting’s disciplined defensive structure.
And that one action now shifts the entire dynamic of the tie as Arsenal come off Lisbon with a tangible advantage.
That being said, Havertz’s role in the goal was equally important. Introduced after Martin Odegaard was forced off, the German maintained composure in a high-pressure situation. His first touch was exquisite, and he kept calm and controlled before passing the ball into the net.
