Havertz scored the winning goal to secure the victory for his team, and afterwards praised Martinelli and Raya.

2026-04-08 01:53

In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, Arsenal faced Sporting Lisbon away from home. Thanks to a late winner from Kai Havertz, the team secured a hard-fought but crucial victory.

In the second half, with the score tied at 0-0, both Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli came on as substitutes. Martinelli then delivered a penetrating and precise pass, assisting Havertz to deliver the decisive blow.

It's worth mentioning that this is the team's eighth goal scored by a substitute player in the Champions League this season, demonstrating their extremely deep bench.

After the match, Havertz, who scored the winning goal, was very humble in an interview, attributing most of the credit to his teammates: "80% of the credit for this goal belongs to Gabi (Martinelli). I just finished in the right position, but his top-notch, perfect pass was the key to breaking the deadlock."

Besides Martinelli, Havertz also praised goalkeeper David Raya, who kept a clean sheet and delivered the best performance of the match: "His performance was incredible."

“I think the football world still underestimates him, but in my opinion, he may have become the best goalkeeper in the world in the past two years. We are all fortunate to have him.”

This Champions League victory not only gives Arsenal a slight advantage in the two-legged tie, but also dispels the gloom brought on by their recent losing streak. Havertz emphasized that this victory is a much-needed boost for the team. He called on all players, coaching staff, and fans to remain united, look forward, and maintain a positive attitude.

Image source: Internet/Arsenal official website