Arsenal defeated Porto in a penalty shootout after a tense evening at Emirates Stadium, advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
Leandro Trossard gave the Gunners the lead with a composed finish four minutes before halftime, capping an incredible performance by skipper Martin Odegaard that brought them back level. The Gunners trailed 1-0 going into this second leg of the round of sixteen.
Even in extra time, the tense and competitive match ended without a winner, and Arsenal persevered to go to the round of eight.
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Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka all scored as David Raya made saves against Wendell and Galeno to give Mikel Arteta’s team the victory amid raucous celebrations.
Arsenal passes the Porto test.
Arsenal’s only deficit came from a late goal by Galeno in the opening encounter in Portugal, but it soon became apparent that they would face a tough test of perseverance, forbearance, and character against Sergio Conceicao’s shrewd, seasoned squad.
Arsenal was never able to play with the usual ease by Porto, who were masterfully organised and marshalled by the evergreen 41-year-old Pepe. Trossard’s goal was the result of excellent footwork and a precise pass from Odegaard, and it was a rare instance of defensive lapse on the part of the visiting team.
Arsenal attempted to probe, but Porto remained a threat as Raya made excellent saves against Evanilson and Francisco Conceicao.
With a goal in the second half, Odegaard believed he had calmed Arsenal’s fears and forced extra time. But when Havertz was found to have retracted Pepe, it was ruled out.
The tension and fury extended to the technical area, where Porto coach Conceicao was a tense, animated figure the entire time. After their fate was sealed by Raya’s leaping save in a frantic finish, the tension and rage threatened to explode.
After five Europa League matches at Emirates Stadium without a victory, Arteta finally broke his European curse at home, and Arsenal was celebrating at the end of a nerve-wracking evening.
In addition, it seemed as though the Gunners had broken through a psychological barrier following their seven consecutive Champions League final-eight defeats.
Arsenal may believe they have gained enough insight from this challenging experience to advance further in the competition now that they have made it to the round of eight.
