Match report as Arsenal beat Porto 4-2 on penalties to make the Champions League quarter-finals; last-16 tie had ended 1-1 on combination after Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike noticed Gunners beat Portuguese aspect 1-0 in return leg on the Emirates

David Raya was the hero, saving two spot-kicks as Arsenal beat Porto 4-2 on penalties to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after their last-16 tie ended 1-1 on combination.

Leandro Trossard, in for the injured Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand aspect of Arsenal’s assault, levelled the tie up after the scoring 4 minutes earlier than half-time with a low end into the far nook after being discovered by Martin Odegaard’s scrumptious, disguised go.

However, after Odegaard noticed an effort controversially dominated out by referee Clement Turpin halfway by the second half, the sport went into extra-time after which to penalties.

And it was Raya who proved the house aspect’s match winner after saving two Porto penalties, whereas the hosts have been good from the spot to advance to the final eight of Europe’s premier membership competitors for the primary time since 2010.

How Arsenal made Champions League quarter-finals in dramatic style

Arsenal headed into the return leg needing to overturn a first-leg deficit after a 1-0 defeat in Porto three weeks in the past, a feat they final managed within the Champions League 14 years in the past in opposition to the identical opponents. That was additionally the final event the north London aspect reached the final eight of the competitors.

And with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta having requested the house followers to convey the noise on the Emirates, the Gunners started the second leg quick in quest of a nerve-reducing opener to degree the tie on combination.

That didn’t come, although, and as half-time approached, the hosts have been huffing and puffing in quest of a breakthrough, which lastly got here on 41 minutes after a stunning passing transfer down the left, with the skipper inevitably concerned.

It was Odegaard’s sensible defence-splitting go that opened up the guests’ defence, though Trossard nonetheless had numerous work to do to beat Diogo Costa from an acute angle.

The strike settled dwelling nerves, however the decisive second objective by no means got here because the Portuguese aspect managed to frustrate their hosts, though Arsenal will level to a contentious name from the French referee halfway by the second half which denied them the combination lead.

Kai Havertz and Pepe battled for a ball excessive, and as Costa got here out to clear the ball then broke kindly to the unmarked Odegaard, who merely chipped dwelling into an unguarded web from the sting of the realm, just for Havertz to be penalised for an earlier shirt pull on Pepe.

Thereafter, the ambiance obtained hotter and warmer, with each coaches booked for touchline rants as the sport moved into extra-time, whereas in addition they exchanged offended phrases on the conclusion of the match, which offered little goalmouth motion apart from a half-chance for substitute Gabriel Jesus.

That meant penalties to determine a winner, with Raya proving the distinction between the 2 groups by saving first from Wendell after which Wenderson Galeno, each excellent full-length stops, whereas Arsenal have been good as Odegaard, Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all discovered the again of the online.

Gunners’ lengthy anticipate Champions League last-eight look lastly over – Opta stats

• Arsenal have progressed to the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League for the primary time since 2009-10, ending a run of seven consecutive final 16 eliminations within the competitors.

• This was the primary UEFA Champions League knockout match to go to a penalty shootout for the reason that 2016 closing between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.

• Porto have been eradicated from every of their final eight main European knockout ties in opposition to English opposition since knocking Manchester United out of the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League final 16.
• This was solely the second time Arsenal have been taken to extra-time in a UEFA Champions League match, and first for the reason that 2008-09 final 16 in opposition to Roma, which in addition they progressed from after a penalty shootout.
• Leandro Trossard turned solely the third participant to attain in every of his first three UEFA Champions League dwelling video games for Arsenal, after Alexis Sánchez and Bukayo Saka.
• Martin Ødegaard has seven assists for Arsenal this season in all competitions, with tonight’s his first within the UEFA Champions League – that is as many as he offered in the entire of final season for the Gunners.

• There have been 74 fouls over the 2 legs of this final 16 tie between Arsenal and FC Porto – probably the most in a knockout tie between two sides within the UEFA Champions League for the reason that 2015-16 final 16 tie between Bayern Munich and Juventus (76).

• Porto defender Pepe turned the primary ever outfield participant to seem in a UEFA Champions League match on the age of 41 or older.

What the managers stated…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:

“So happy – 14 years is a long time for a club like Arsenal not to do what we’ve done today,” he stated.

“We had to dig in and find the magic moment we did at the end today. So proud and so happy.

“You are very nervous. You are hoping for one of the best however you realize it is a bit of a lottery. We did our preparation yesterday and the day earlier than simply in case and it actually helped so credit score to the goalkeeping coaches as nicely.

“We have started to create an unbelievable energy in the stadium and we are all pushing to get it done, and together we’ve done it.

“Unbelievable. That’s the place we need to be. We have been affected person and that is the place we need to be.”

What’s next?

Arsenal should wait practically three weeks for his or her subsequent recreation after the postponement of their Premier League dwelling fixture in opposition to Chelsea because of the Blues’ FA Cup participation this weekend, which is then adopted by a world break.

The Gunners return to motion with an enormous title conflict in opposition to Manchester City as Mikel Arteta’s aspect go to the Etihad Stadium on March 31; kick-off 4.30pm, reside on Sky Sports.

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