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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Your support makes all the difference.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 vs Arsenal
Arsenal have tended to start fast in Europe this season. 12 of their 16 goals have come before half-time, which more than any other side in the tournament.
Martin Odegaard talks up Arsenal’s double chances ahead of Champions League return
Martin Odegaard says Arsenal must harness their growing momentum as they target a Premier League and Champions League double.
Saturday’s 5-0 win at Burnley meant the Gunners have kicked off a calendar year with five straight league wins for the first time in their history.
Arteta’s second-placed side are two points behind leaders Liverpool and now turn their attention to European action.
Martin Odegaard talks up Arsenal’s double chances ahead of Champions League return
The Gunners have won five successive Premier League games to start 2024 and face Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday
Arsenal team changes
Mikel Arteta has named an unchanged Arsenal team for the third consecutive match. The Gunners are producing some incredible displays of late and the manager obviously believes that consistency is key to their success.
Porto vs Arsenal line-ups
Porto XI: Costa; Mario, Otavio, Pepe, Wendell; Gonzalez, Varela; Pepe; Conceicao, Evanilson, Galeno
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Arteta on Porto
“I’ve been really impressed by Porto.” said Mikel Arteta in the build up to tonight’s clash.
“I know the manager really well, and their history. They have quality across the pitch and will be really tough opponents. We have earned the right to be here.
“We haven’t been here [in the last 16] for seven years and haven’t got to the next stage for 14. That’s the challenge. We are excited and will go for it with full belief.”
Porto vs Arsenal
Two members of Arsenal’s squad have fond memories of the Estádio do Dragão.
Kai Havertz and Jorginho both played in the 2021 Champions League final held here as Chelsea and Manchester City went toe-to-toe.
The German’s strike provided the winner for the London club on that occasion. Will he be as influential tonight?
Porto vs Arsenal
Arsenal are bidding to end a record run of seven successive Champions League round of 16 defeats as they travel to the Estádio do Dragão to take on a Porto side who themselves have not progressed beyond this stage since 2020/21.
The Gunners, in their first Champions League campaign for seven seasons, lost in the last 16 in every campaign between 2010/11 and 2016/17, their last aggregate victory at this juncture coming at Porto’s expense in 2009/10.
Sergio Conceicao on facing Arsenal
The Porto head coach said: “Arsenal have players with great technique and talent, but we also have quality.
“They are a team who enjoy a lot of possession and know how to perform in the final third, and they will be very different to any side we face domestically.
“We have to be very competent in each phase of the match if we want to compete.”
How many Champions League places will the Premier League have next season?
Manchester United and Tottenham may need to rely on strong performances from respective rivals Manchester City and Arsenal in the Champions League if England is to earn an extra spot in next season’s revamped competition.
The Champions League is being expanded to a 36-team tournament from 2024/25 and two of the extra four places will be awarded to countries whose teams perform best in this season’s European competitions.
As confirmed by Uefa on their website on Tuesday, England currently sits third in the race, behind Italy and Germany, which would mean Serie A and the Bundesliga receive a fifth Champions League place next season.
How many Champions League places will the Premier League have next season?
Italy and Germany currently lead the way ahead of the new-look Champions League
Arteta on winning the Champions League
Mikel Arteta says winning the Champions League would be ‘incredible’ and to do so this year would be a dream as the final is being held in London at Wembley.
“It should be incredible to have that feeling to lift that cup, in London, the first of June. It is there,” said the Gunners boss.
“It is in our minds. It is a dream, but there are a lot of things you have to earn the right to do before that and tomorrow we have a big obstacle ahead of us. We are really looking forward to it.”
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