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Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals after holding Sporting CP to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, sealing a 1-0 aggregate win.
The Premier League side came into the second leg with a slim advantage after Kai Havertz’s late goal in the first leg in Portugal, and that proved decisive over the two matches.
Arsenal started brightly in front of their home fans, controlling possession early on, but it was Sporting who created the clearer chances before the break. Geny Catamo came closest, striking the post after meeting a cross from Maxi Araujo.
The tension grew inside the Emirates as the game wore on, with Arsenal protecting their narrow lead after a recent dip in form that included a league defeat to Bournemouth.
Sporting continued to push after the restart and nearly forced extra time when Araujo fired wide from a promising position. Arsenal also had their moment late on, with Leandro Trossard hitting the post with a header from a corner.
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Mikel Arteta’s side held firm at the back to see out the result, showing discipline rather than flair on a night where the margin for error was thin.
The result sends Arsenal into back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, underlining their steady progress in Europe.
They will now face Atletico Madrid for a place in the final, setting up a high-stakes clash against one of Europe’s most organised sides.
For Sporting, the result ends an impressive run. The Portuguese side matched Arsenal across both legs and created enough chances to change the outcome, but lacked the finishing touch when it mattered most.
