Arsenal beat FC Porto on penalties at the Emirates Stadium to advance to the quarter-final of the UEA Champions League this evening.
The Gunners lost the first leg in Porto thanks to a stunning effort from Wenderson Galeno in the dying minutes and had a mountain to climb in London.
However, Arsenal got the job done thanks to an equaliser from Leandro Trossard and impressive shooting from the spot.
A typically stubborn Porto side sat deep and tried to repel Arsenal’s attacks for much of the first half.
Porto defender Pepe had to use all his experience to prevent Kai Havertz from getting his head to a dangerously teasing Ben White cross that would have given the hosts the lead.
The 41-year-old Portugal international was a rock at the back throughout the game.
After 40 minutes of trying to break down their opponents, Arsenal finally levelled the tie.
Martin Odegaard was the provider, collecting the ball before splitting Porto’s defence with a gorgeous pass that allowed Trossard to score his third goal in as many Champions League appearances.
The Primeira Liga side spent most of the first half on the back foot but took the initiative after the break.
However, Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa nearly cost his team a goal, but Odegaard could not make something of the chance.
Arsenal thought they had scored their second when Havertz forced Pepe off the ball, and Odegaard pounced to score, but VAR adjudged the German to have fouled the experienced defender.
Porto reminded the hosts of their danger as Pepe Aquino heated David Raya’s palms before Jakub Kiwior scrambled to clear the spill.
Gabriel Jesus replaced an uninspiring Jorginho late in the second half and immediately missed a glorious chance to put the Premier League side in front.
Neither side could break the deadlock in extra-time, setting up a tense penalty shoot-out.
Odegaard, Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice converted their spot-kicks while Raya pushed Wendell’s effort onto the post.
Galeno also missed and Arsenal advanced to the quarter-final of the competition for the first time in over a decade.
