Arsenal edge nervy encounter with Sporting CP to reach Champions League semis

Football
16 Apr 2026 • 5:05 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Arsenal edge nervy encounter with Sporting CP to reach Champions League semis

  • Arsenal have secured their passage to the Champions League semi-finals after a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
  • The Gunners advanced 1-0 on aggregate, courtesy of Kai Havertz’s decisive strike in the first leg a week prior.
  • Mikel Arteta’s side endured a nervy encounter, with Sporting’s Geny Catamo striking David Raya’s post in the first half, a moment that underscored the hosts' struggle to assert dominance.
  • The result marks a significant milestone for the club, as they reach their second consecutive Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history.
  • Arsenal will now face Atletico Madrid, with the opening leg scheduled for April 29 in Spain, followed by the return fixture in London the following week.

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