David Raya was the hero of Tuesday’s penalty shootout as Arsenal beat Porto 4-2 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. After a thrilling second leg at the Emirates Stadium, the teams were locked at 1-1 on aggregate, but Raya’s two saves in the penalty shootout left the two-time champions heartbroken. The goalkeeper pulled out all the stops to keep out Wendel and repeated the feat against Galeno, with the hosts converting all four penalties as the decibels soared. This is the first time a Champions League match has been decided by penalty kicks since the 2016 final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: “You’re very nervous and you hope for the best but you know it (penalties) is a bit like buying a lottery ticket.”
“It’s such a pleasure. 14 years on (without reaching the quarter-finals) is a long time for a club like Arsenal and it shows how difficult it is. We really have to dig deep. Only then can we find the final magical moment.” “
“We’ve been patient, worked hard and a lot of people have made the right decisions and shown courage in difficult moments and that’s where you want to be,” he added.
Raya, who is on loan from Brentford, said it was a “great moment individually and collectively”.
“It means everything. You play football for these things and I was lucky enough to play for Arsenal, play in the Champions League and reach the quarter-finals.”
Arteta’s Premier League leaders – who have scored 33 goals in their past eight league games – were not at their best against a disciplined Porto side after falling 1-0 from the first leg. state.
Arsenal were rewarded for their patience when Leandro Trossard equalized shortly before half-time.
Sergio Conceicao’s side managed to frustrate the home side long into the opening period, creating enough chances to make for a tense night for the expectant fans.
Both sides were in disarray in the early stages, with Porto doing their best to slow down the game with throw-ins and goal kicks, much to the audible sounds of frustration from the home fans.
Arsenal defender Ben White headed home in the fourth minute after the home team’s first sustained attack, and captain Martin Odegaard hit the side netting 10 minutes later.
But Porto, who last was crowned European champions under Mourinho in 2004, had plenty of chances.
Evan Nelson’s shot from distance bounced wide and a few minutes later his shot was blocked by Raya.
Declan Rice headed narrowly wide and Pepe – the first 41-year-old to play outfield in the Champions League – used his head to deftly touch the ball to prevent Kai Havertz from reaching the ball at the back post. White’s cross.
breakthrough
Thanks to Odegaard’s outstanding performance, the breakthrough finally came in the 41st minute. He broke through the opponent and passed a perfect low pass into the Trossard penalty area.
Trossard calmly eased the tension with a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa and into the far corner.
The visitors, who had never won a game in 22 previous appearances in England, started the second half brightly while Arsenal struggled to make their mark.
Midway through the second half, Odegaard scored the ball into an empty net. Arsenal thought they had expanded their lead, but Havertz fouled Pepe and the goal was invalid.
Moments later, Porto advanced and Raya blocked Francisco Conceicao’s shot from the edge of the area.
Arteta crossed to Gabriel Jesus in the 83rd minute and the former Manchester City man nearly scored with his first touch.
As Arsenal pushed for the winner, Bukayo Saka’s trademark curling ball was beaten back into midfield and Odegaard was well placed to tip the rebound wide.
The home side looked more dangerous early in extra time but Porto still posed a threat on the break, with substitute Mehdi Taremi curling wide.
Arteta brought on Eddie Nketiah and Alexander Zinchenko in the second period of overtime, but neither side could find a winner and it ended up in a penalty shootout.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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