Arsenal secures 1/4-final spot in Champions League after penalties

Arsenal advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals by eliminating Porto in the most challenging way possible. After a 0-1 deficit at “Estádio do Dragão,” the Londoners secured a victory with the same scoreline after 90 minutes and extra time.

The match then went to a penalty shootout, where Arsenal executed flawlessly, while the guests missed twice. In the 22nd minute, Evanilson took a shot from the edge of the penalty area towards the left corner, but Ramsdale managed to save. The ball returned to Porto’s possession, and Wendel attempted a shot, which was blocked by an Arsenal defender.

In the 41st minute, Arsenal took a 1-0 lead, leveling the aggregate score. Wendel failed to clear the ball properly, gifting it to Martin Odegaard. He combined with Leandro Trossard on the left flank, and the Belgian returned it to the Norwegian. Odegaard found space for a pass to Trossard, who elegantly placed the ball into the net.

In the 101st minute, substitute Mehdi Taremi freed himself from Arsenal’s defense and delivered a good shot from the edge of the penalty area towards the left corner, but the ball narrowly missed the goal.

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In the 110th minute, Arsenal orchestrated an excellent attack, with Eddie Nketiah finding himself in a clear position. However, his dangerous shot was blocked by a Porto defender.

Five minutes later, Porto’s first-leg goalscorer, Galeno, tried his luck from a distance, but his shot rebounded and was easily caught by David Raya.

During the penalty shootout, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, and Rice were flawless from the penalty spot for Arsenal, while Porto missed twice, proving to be decisive in Arsenal’s progression.