Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first legs saw few goals, but opening statements were made, and advantages are now clear.
With everything still to play for in the second legs, can the losers turn their odds around or will these games define the long run?
Arsenal snatch late win over Sporting Lisbon
For the majority of the match last night, it wasn’t looking good for Arsenal; they were outperformed by Sporting on expected goals, shots and shots on target all game.
Then, in the 91st minute, Kai Havertz slotted home the winner from a fine Gabriel Martinelli assist.
The English side goes into the second leg with a slender 1-0 lead, but they will play at home next, having picked up a vital result at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Sporting had won 17 straight games at their home stadium until the defeat to Arsenal.
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told BBC Sport that the team “had a point to prove” after a “difficult period” for the London side.
Speaking to UEFA, Arsenal goalkeeper and Player of the Match David Raya added: “It’s very important to have those moments that can change games, that can change ties.
“It was very important to get that win today and go ahead for the next game that will be a very tough one, at home.”
In contrast, Sporting manager Rui Borges admitted to UEFA: “It’s frustrating. It’s only natural to feel a bit frustrated after the great game we played here against a top-class side.
“If you look at the 92 minutes, we had three or four clear-cut chances, whereas they had none apart from the disallowed goal.
“We just needed to be a bit sharper in front of goal. That’s football; let’s keep our heads up and believe it’s possible.”
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Kane and Bayern Munich edge Real Madrid
With both ties on Tuesday night being won by the away team, this time it was Bayern Munich’s turn to edge past Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
Luis Díaz opened the scoring for the German side in the 41st minute before Harry Kane hit a sweet strike to put Bayern 2-0 up just as the second half kicked off.
In the 74th minute, Kylian Mbappé pulled one back for Madrid, giving them a lifeline for the second leg at the Allianz Arena, with the game ending 2-1 in the visitors’ favour.
After the match, Kane told UEFA: “We knew that coming to Madrid and trying to get a result is always difficult.
“We played some really good stuff, and we could have done even better – maybe the final ball, the final finish. We had some good chances, but credit to Madrid as well.”
Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, meanwhile, said: “We talked at half-time about keeping it tight but [conceded] quickly after.
“Our goal gives us hope, but this was a night we knew we were playing a talented, dangerous team.”
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SportJustSport writers