Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals after a tense goalless draw against Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium completed a 1-0 aggregate victory, with Kai Havertz’s late strike in last week’s first leg proving decisive as Mikel Arteta’s team booked a last-four showdown with Atletico Madrid despite another unconvincing attacking display.
The result extended Arsenal’s powerful European home record, which has seen the team lose just once in their last 24 continental matches at the Emirates Stadium, with 17 wins and six draws in that run, the only defeat coming 1-0 to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s semi-finals.
Arsenal’s defensive strength again proved crucial, with the team keeping a clean sheet for the 17th time in their
last 23 European home fixtures, conceding only nine goals across those games, as Sporting CP created limited clear chances in a tie that was controlled more by anxiety than attacking quality from either side.
Sporting CP’s task always appeared difficult given their history in this fixture, as the Portuguese side have still never beaten Arsenal in European competition after nine meetings, recording four defeats and five draws, the highest number of games they have played against any single opponent without managing a victory.
The second leg produced very little attacking output, with Arsenal finishing on 0.67 expected goals compared with Sporting CP’s 0.23, and each team recording just one shot on target, reflecting a nervy game that lacked rhythm and conviction despite the high stakes and the reward of a Champions League semi-final place.
Arsenal’s attacking issues, especially early in matches, continued to be a concern for Arteta, as the team have scored only one non-penalty goal in the first halves of their last eight games in all competitions, and none in the opening period of their previous five fixtures, ahead of Sunday’s key Premier League trip to Manchester City.
Arsenal Champions League semi-finals: first-half struggles and key moments
The first half did little to ease tension around the stadium, as Arsenal produced a timid response to the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, while Sporting CP almost punished early errors, with William Saliba’s careless play gifting Morten Hjulmand possession before Trincao dragged a shot narrowly wide of David Raya’s goal.
Arsenal then threatened through Viktor Gyokeres, who collected space outside the area and sent a dipping, swerving attempt just over Rui Silva’s crossbar, yet Sporting CP finished the half stronger, almost scoring when David Raya’s mistake invited pressure, then Maxi Araujo picked out Geny Catamo, whose left-footed volley clipped the post.
Arsenal Champions League semi-finals: second-half pressure and late drama
Sporting CP carried that momentum into the second half as Araujo angled another effort just wide, while Arsenal sought control on transitions, with Gabriel Martinelli firing a half-volley over the bar and Noni Madueke driving a powerful strike into the side-netting from a tight angle on the right flank.
The visitors appealed for a penalty when players claimed Cristhian Mosquera had pushed Araujo from behind inside the area, but the referee allowed play to continue, and Havertz, introduced from the bench, then snatched at a backheel attempt with just over ten minutes left, missing the chance to settle the tie earlier.
Arsenal still almost added a late goal when Max Dowman’s right-sided corner was met by Leandro Trossard, whose header crashed against the woodwork, before Joao Simoesas created a final scare in stoppage time by drilling a shot wide of the right-hand corner, as the home side clung on to secure progression.
Despite concerns over their forward play and a sequence of quiet first halves, Arsenal advanced thanks to Havertz’s first-leg winner, a strong defensive record and disciplined home performance, leaving Arteta’s side preparing for a Champions League semi-final meeting with Atletico Madrid with their European ambitions still intact.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALISTS pic.twitter.com/4PGvD6x7jUArsenal (@Arsenal) April 15, 2026
