Havertz Nets Late Winner in Lisbon to Hand Arsenal Slim Edge Over Sporting

Following a tentative start by both teams, Maxi Araujo unleashed a fierce left-footed effort towards goal, only for David Raya to somehow deflect it onto the crossbar.

It took another ten minutes for Arsenal to create a glimmer of opportunity, with ex-Sporting forward Viktor Gyökeres readily marshalled clear of danger.

Noni Madueke, stepping in for the sidelined Bukayo Saka, then struck the woodwork with an audacious attempt at an Olympic goal from a corner kick for the away side.

The home team switched to a defensive line of five whenever Arsenal pushed forward, effectively curbing the London clubs attacking flow.

Yet as the first half wore on, Sporting had failed to bring their key threat Luis Suarez into the action, and the hosts had managed just three contacts inside the Arsenals penalty area.

At the interval, neither outfit had truly dominated proceedings, although Arsenal might have felt the sharper frustration, having squandered nine deliveries into the penalty area without reward.

The action resumed in a similar vein post restart, with Declan Rice notably thwarting Sporting advances right from the outset.

Martin Odegaards lofted free kick tested Rui Silva, while Trincãos driven shot forced Raya into a full stretch save.

Shortly past the hour, Martin Zubimendi appeared to put Arsenal ahead with a bending strike from distance, though VAR quickly disallowed it for offside.

Rice contributed immensely to Arsenals cause, regaining the ball on 13 separate occasions to underline his influence.

As the clock ticked into the final seven minutes, Raya once more proved Arsenals saviour, pulling off a fine one handed stop on Geny Catamos clever header.

In the dying seconds with just two minutes of added time remaining, Havertz chose the perfect instant to hush the crowd, rifling a low shot into the net to seal victory for the visitors.

This outcome leaves the Portuguese outfit without a victory in eight encounters versus Arsenal (D4 L4), yet their resilience in restricting the Gunners for much of the contest offers optimism for an upset in the return leg at the Emirates.