Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 0:2 (0:1) at Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 second leg and was eliminated after a 1:1 first leg. Goals came from Eberechi Eze (36') and Declan Rice (63'). Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich made several saves, but Arsenal advanced to the quarter-finals against Sporting Lisbon.
At the Emirates Stadium in London, Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 2:0 to Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 second leg. Following a 1:1 first leg at BayArena, the Werkself was eliminated. Arsenal, Premier League leaders and heavy favorites who won all eight league phase games, dominated. Janis Blaswich, standing in for injured Mark Flekken, kept Leverkusen in the game with saves against Leandro Trossard (16'), Declan Rice free-kick (23'), Bukayo Saka (27'), Trossard reflex save (29./32'), and scrambles in the box (30./32'). In the 36th minute, Eberechi Eze, summer signing from Crystal Palace for 70 million euros, scored his first Champions League goal with a volley from 18 meters. Rice made it 2:0 in the 63rd with a placed shot from the edge after a Leverkusen defensive error. Kai Havertz, former Leverkusen player, entered in the 69th for his 100th Arsenal appearance; his 71st-minute goal was disallowed for handball and foul. Leverkusen had a chance via Christian Kofane (87'), saved by David Raya. 'I tried to help the team. We can still leave here with our heads held high and be proud,' Blaswich told Prime Video. Captain Robert Andrich: 'In the first half we conceded many good chances, we can thank Janis for that.' Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals, who overcame FK Bodø/Glimt. Leverkusen awaits its first quarter-final since 2002.
