Arsenal advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after holding Sporting CP to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, securing a 1-0 aggregate victory. Mikel Arteta's side relied on their first-leg lead despite a lacklustre performance marked by few clear chances. Sporting CP pushed for a comeback but fell short.
Arsenal dominated possession in a cagey first half but struggled to create opportunities against Sporting's organised defence. Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres fired shots over the bar early on, while Sporting grew into the game with half-chances from Francisco Trincao and Pedro Goncalves. The best moment came when Geny Catamo struck the upright from a cross at the back post, serving as a warning to the home side as the break neared. Arsenal started with Raya in goal; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel and Hincapie in defence; Rice and Zubimendi in midfield; and Eze, Madueke, Martinelli and Gyokeres up front. Sporting lined up with Rui Silva; Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio and Araujo at the back; Hjulmand and Morita in midfield; and Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves and Suarez leading the attack. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Arsenal holding the ball but failing to penetrate. Gabriel Martinelli offered bursts down the left, and Sporting mounted their best pressure midway through, highlighted by Maxi Araújo's shot just wide. Tension built as the clock ticked down, with Arsenal prioritising game management. Leandro Trossard nearly sealed it late, heading against the post from a corner, while Joao Simoes' stoppage-time effort drifted into the side-netting. Arsenal's progression marks their second consecutive semi-final appearance, though Arteta's team showed the control typical of knockout ties rather than flair. They now await the winners of other quarter-finals, with Atletico Madrid noted as potential opponents.
