Porto vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Galeno wins it with late goal
Porto 1-0 Arsenal: The Gunners suffer defeat after a superb late strike from Galeno
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Arsenal suffered a heartbreaking stoppage time goal to see them lose 1-0 to Porto in a dull affair in Portugal meaning they need to come from behind at the Emirates in the second leg to make it through to the quarter-finals.
Porto have a strong record at home against Arsenal and from the off looked determined to break up the Gunners’ flow and rhythm. It was a stop-start match throughout with Porto creating the better chances as Galeno hit the post and volleyed wide of goal in the same first half attack.
With 10 minutes or so to go Arsenal looked to shut up shop and cling onto the draw - which would have been an okay result - but some sloppy play in stoppage time saw them lose possession and allowed Galeno to drive forward before whipping a wonderful finish past David Raya to earn the hosts a win.
Relive the action from the Champions League tonight plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Porto defeat leaves Arsenal with an awkward Champions League problem to solve
A twist on the night, from one glorious curling long-range effort. It really was something out of nothing. Just when Arsenal’s trip to Porto seemed to be drifting towards the most dismal of 0-0s, Wenderson Galeno took hold and let fly to suddenly leave Mikel Arteta’s side having a lot to do in the second leg of this Champions League last-16 tie. They now must overcome a 1-0 deficit, having seemed to be rather complacently settling for a draw.
It should never have got to this, but then Arsenal never got going. That is perhaps the greatest frustration, as Porto - and, admittedly, an overly officious referee - ensured this was the worst type of stop-start game.
It has certainly stopped Arsenal scoring. After having scored 21 goals in five games, to seemingly end all talk of a staleness afflicting their attack, Arteta’s team went through a blank for the first time since the turn of the year.
Porto defeat leaves Arsenal with an awkward Champions League problem to solve
Porto 1-0 Arsenal: Galeno’s stoppage time strike sparked some life into a dull contest in Portugal
Martin Keown speaking on TNT Sports
“The handbrake was on a little too much, was that inexperience? They need to hold that hurt now. Porto contained Arsenal.”
FT Porto 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal didn’t do much wrong in that game but they’re on the end of a classic finish to a Champions League knockout game. The team seemingly in control being taken out by a surprising late goal.
Most of the Arsenal squad haven’t experienced that before with this being their first taste of Champions League knockout football but they will be loath to repeat it at the Emirates.
The Gunners are still in the contest but they’ll need to play without the handbrake on if they are to overturn the deficit.
Full-time! Porto 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal win a late free kick that Declan Rice curls into the box. Gabriel gets his head to the ball but nods it over the bar and out of play.
The full-time whistle goes and the game ends. Porto are tie heading to London with a slender lead but Arsenal will be confident about winning at the Emirates.
A dull affair until the late drama but not the worst result for the Gunners though they’ll need to come from behind to reach the quarter-finals.
GOAL! Porto 1-0 Arsenal (Galeno, 90+4’)
90+4 mins: Arsenal give possession away and Galeno drives the ball down the inside left channel. He rolls it onto his right foot and whips a superb finish into the far corner!
David Raya leaps across but can’t get there, Porto have won this one late on.
Porto 0-0 Arsenal
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. Perhaps time enough for someone to nick a win though that may be beyond both teams.
Porto 0-0 Arsenal
87 mins: There has been one shot on target in the whole game. Arsenal have apparently created five attempts (none on target) though it’s a struggle to remember any of them.
This hasn’t been an exciting game. Call it quits now and head to the Emirates where it should be slightly more exciting.
Porto 0-0 Arsenal
84 mins: Arsenal’s last goalless draw came in January 2023 in a 0-0 against Newcastle. That’s over a year ago but the signs are strong that this match will be following a similar route.
Porto make a couple of changes with a touch over five minutes left to play.
Porto 0-0 Arsenal
81 mins: Into the last 10 minutes and stil there isn’t much to write home about. Injuries are starting to creep into the home players as they look to keep Arsenal quiet.
Porto 0-0 Arsenal
78 mins: Saka and Odegaard attempt to combine on the right side of the pitch but there’s no way into the box and Saka is forced to send the ball backwards.
The gunners come forward again and win their eighth corner of the match. Can they create something from this one?
No, Costa comes out again and touches the ball over Havertz before Porto are awarded a free kick.
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