Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win at Sporting, in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
After a first half in which Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke struck the woodwork, the visitors had a Martin Zubimendi effort disallowed before David Raya produced several late saves to deny the home side.
The deadlock was finally broken in added time by Havertz, who replaced the injured Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, to secure the advantage before the return leg next week.
The Germany forward was found unmarked inside the box by Gabriel Martinelli before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Rui Silva to settle a tactical encounter.
The result marks a return to winning ways for Arsenal following consecutive defeats, including their FA Cup exit and defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final.
“Beautiful and that’s the impact you need when you get to this stage of the season. Everybody has to make an impact and they certainly did that tonight,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said regarding the winner.
“We had a goal disallowed and there were two or three occasions where we were close but we lacked that final pass. In the end a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game.”
The winners of the tie face Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, who play at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, in the semis.
Premier League leaders Arsenal will try to keep up the momentum when they host Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results
Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich
Sporting 0-1 Arsenal.