Sports Desk, Mar 13 (EFE).- Goalkeeper David Raya turned out to be the hero as Arsenal defeated Porto 4-2 in a tiebreaker to reach the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in 14 years on Tuesday.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal in regulation to hand Arsenal a 1-0 win, invalidating Porto’s first-leg win by a similar margin at home.
Porto put in a great defensive performance to hold Arsenal in extra time, taking the game into a tiebreaker, the first Champions League to be decided this way since the 2016 final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Wendell’s second shot hit the post in the tiebreaker, while Raya stopped Galeno’s fourth.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice all converted for Arsenal to ensure they progressed to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009–10.
Mikel Arteta’s men suffered greatly in regular time against a Porto team that created a defensive rock and occasionally tested the home side.
Not even Trossard’s goal in the 41st minute, after an incredible pass by Odegaard between three defenders, gave Arsenal peace of mind.
The ‘Gunners’ were overwhelmed throughout the match, under the pressure of Europe, where they always tend to give in.
For the first time in the entire season, Arsenal looked out of ideas without being able to create danger upfront and relied only on individual sparks.
Odegaard was one standout player for Arsenal, who could have sealed the contest if a second half goal from the Norwegian was not disallowed by the referee due to Havertz pushing on Pepe in the buildup.
“The team played really, really well. The main thing is that we kept a clean sheet, but we scored a goal and got through. It means everything to be in the quarter-finals; you play football for these kinds of things. I’m over the moon,” said man-of-the-match Raya.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta revealed that they had prepared for a tiebreaker.
“We prepare everything, the extra time, the scenarios, the changes, how the players have to drink and eat and all that and in the end, you have to do it in the game, and to replicate the scenarios is really difficult,” he said.
“Total credit to the boys, stepping up with maturity, with that confidence and they delivered.”
With a settled score in Europe after a run of seven consecutive last-16 eliminations, Arsenal will be in the pot on Mar. 15 for the quarterfinals draw as leaders of the Premier League. EFE
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