{"id":3495,"date":"2026-04-08T03:59:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3495"},"modified":"2026-04-08T03:59:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:59:52","slug":"kai-havertz-strikes-late-as-arsenal-steal-victory-vs-sporting-lisbon-5-talking-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=3495","title":{"rendered":"Kai Havertz strikes late as Arsenal steal victory vs Sporting Lisbon &#8211; 5 talking points"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_09e96c\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">SPORTING LISBON 0-1 ARSENAL: Premier League leaders Arsenal stole a late victory against the Portuguese giants on Tuesday evening to see them put one foot in the Champions League last four<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">21:59, 07 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 22:09, 07 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36981750\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Kai Havertz\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981750.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270277361.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981750.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2270277361.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981750.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2270277361.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981750.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270277361.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Kai Havertz celebrates his goal vs Sporting\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Kai Havertz celebrates his goal vs Sporting<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal have put one foot in the Champions League semi finals after Kai Havertz&#8217;s late goal against Sporting Lisbon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After back-to-back defeats, Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side once again struggled to find their fluency, having come up against a stubborn Sporting side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Martin Zubimendi thought he had given the Gunners the lead midway through the second period but had his goal ruled out for offside.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Havertz was the man to step forward in stoppage time to score what could be a vital win for the Gunners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here are all of the talking points from the Jos\u00e9 Alvalade Stadium:<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Two Arsenal stars at risk of Champions League ban ahead of Sporting clash<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Are Arsenal&#8217;s Champions League opponents called Sporting Lisbon or Sporting CP<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootballarsenal#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_f9ba33\">Raya rescues Arsenal<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Predictably, the home side started the game at a break-neck speed and could have been ahead but for some spectacular acrobatics from Arsenal stopper David Raya.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Maximiliano Ara\u00fajo latched onto a brilliant pass from Diomande for Sporting and was faced with the Arsenal keeper one-on-one. He went for sheer power but Raya just about managed to get a fingertip to the ball and tip it onto the crossbar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Raya also produced an excellent stop to parry away Geny Catamo&#8217;s late header in what was an inspired performance.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_f9ba33\">Gyokeres return falls flat<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Don&#8217;t get it wrong: Viktor Gyokeres is a hero in Lisbon. His record of 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese giants proves that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While some were left disgruntled with the manner of his exit in the summer, they did not make that displeasure known, with any boos falling flat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Unfortunately for Gyokeres, his return was equally as underwhelming. He really struggled to get involved throughout the evening and was even at fault for Arsenal&#8217;s opener getting chalked off.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36981706\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36981706\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Viktor Gyokeres\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981706.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269700751.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981706.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2269700751.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981706.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2269700751.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981706.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269700751.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Viktor Gyokeres had a difficult evening upon his return to Sporting Lisbon\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Viktor Gyokeres had a difficult evening upon his return to Sporting Lisbon<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_f9ba33\">Controversy denies Arsenal<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Potentially the most frustrating element of Gyokeres&#8217; performance was his part in Arsenal&#8217;s ruled out goal. The ball was played into the Swedish forward and he set it back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Martin Zubimendi then curled home a divine right-footed strike. But the referee immediately intervened and cancelled the goal, which was the right decision.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_f9ba33\">Gunners overcome frustration<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Placed amid the backdrop of Arsenal&#8217;s current stuttering form, there were reasons to be worried for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final and have been eliminated from the FA Cup by a Championship side,<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal of course have one target this season &#8211; the Premier League &#8211; but there&#8217;s no getting away from the fact that it has been a damaging week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But they just about managed to find a way beyond Sporting. It&#8217;s a cliche but it is the kind of result that could see them get their season back on track.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36981714\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36981714\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martin Zubimendi\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981714.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270274530.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981714.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2270274530.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981714.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2270274530.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36981714.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270274530.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Martin Zubimendi was rightfully denied a goal vs Sporting\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Martin Zubimendi was rightfully denied a goal vs Sporting<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"HeadingFour_heading-four__M_w7B  __className_f9ba33\">Havertz steals it<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While a win would have been welcome, Sporting have not been slouches this season. The Portuguese giants have not lost on home soil in the Champions League this season and beat reigning champions PSG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That was until Havertz stepped forward in the closing stages. He was expertly picked out by Gabriel Martinelli, took a touch and poked a clinical finish home. It represented his fourth goal of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It was arguably undeserved based on the Gunners&#8217; performance in Lisbon but not a single player in the Arsenal dressing room will care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. 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