Arsenal progressed to the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 courtesy of a penalty shoot-out win over Porto at the Emirates on Tuesday night - the Gunners winning 1-0 on the night thanks to Leandro Trossard's first-half strike.
Sergio Conceiçao's Porto gave as good as they got in an entertaining first-half, but Belgian winger Trossard broke the deadlock after 40 minutes when he slotted home to draw Arsenal level 1-1 on aggregate after their first leg defeat at the Estadio do Dragao a couple of weeks ago.
With a last eight place on the line, the game became increasingly scrappy and after an uneventful period of extra-time the match went to penalties.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all scored for the Gunners, while David Raya saved spot-kicks from Wendell and Galeno to settle the game in the Londoners' favour.
The Action: As you would expect in the knockout stages of the Champions League, both sides started sharply and Arsenal were soon on the offensive - Ben White drifting a header over from a Leandro Trossard cross in the opening minutes.
Porto were no doubt aware of the considerable threat posed by Bukayo Saka, but the England winger sparked into life on 10 minutes to force Diogo Costa into the first save of the game, the Portugal international saving well with his feet from a low drive.
The visitors were holding their own and they twice fired shots across Arsenal's bows: forward Evanilson firing a left footed effort narrowly wide before drawing a smart save from David Raya with a placed strike from just inside the box.
Half chances came and went at both ends, but a goal-less first half appeared on the cards until a lovely move from the hosts broke the deadlock on 40 minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was at the heart of the action, and it was the Norwegian's beautifully-timed ball through to Trossard, high on the right hand side of the box, that allowed the Belgian winger to fire his side ahead with a skidding low effort into the corner of the net.
Half-time: Arsenal 1-0 Porto
With a quarter-final place up for grabs, a big 45 minutes awaited both sides and the magnitude of the occasion was obvious in the early exchanges of the second period.
A number of passes were misplaced to rob Mikel Arteta's side of any rhythm and the game was punctuated by frequent fouls and a pause for Evanilson to receive treatment, the Brazilian having fallen awkwardly after an ill-advised overhead kick.
Niggling fouls and theatrics were on the increase, but Arsenal thought they had scored an all-important second goal on 67 minutes when Kai Havertz chased down a long ball and a collision between the German, Pepe and goalkeeper Costa saw the ball break to Odegaard, who calmly chipped the ball into the net.
Odegaard ran off to the corner flag to celebrate, but the Gunners' joy was short-lived as the goal was chalked off for Havertz' shirt-pulling in the build-up.
Two minutes later and Arsenal themselves breathed a sigh of relief, as Porto broke forward and Conceiçao fired in a dangerous low drive that Raya did well to keep out.
Gabriel Jesus entered the fray and on 82 minutes he almost turned the tide Arsenal's way - Porto keeper Costa making a great save to deny the Brazilian, and moments later pulling off another stop to deny Saka.
There was a palpable nervousness to Arsenal's play, but they ended the 90 minutes on the front foot - Odegaard pulling the strings as they looked to win the game in normal time.
After 90 minutes: Arsenal 1-0 Porto (1-1 on aggregate)
Nothing separated the sides after 180 minutes, so extra-time ensued and its first installment was understandably cagey - both sides trading composure for competitive edge.
The second helping of additional time was equally uneventful and a shoot-out was the inevitable result.
After 120 minutes: Arsenal 1-0 Porto (1-1 on aggregate) | Arsenal win 4-2 on penalties
Odegaard: Scored
Pepé: Scored
Havertz: Scored
Wendell: Missed
Saka: Scored
Grujic: Scored
Rice: Scored
Galeno: Missed
1-0 (4-2 pens) | ||
Leandro Trossard 41' |
