The Gunners dominated long periods of the match and created the better chances, but wasteful finishing from Eberechi Eze and resolute defending from Sporting kept the tie alive until the final whistle.

However, Arsenal’s first-leg advantage was enough to send them into the last four, while Sporting bowed out after a determined performance in north London.

In the other quarter-final, Bayern Munich edged Real Madrid 4-3 in a thrilling clash at the Allianz Arena, sealing a 6-4 aggregate triumph.

Real Madrid took the lead inside the opening minute through Arda Güler, but Aleksandar Pavlović quickly levelled for Bayern.

The match swung back and forth, with Harry Kane cancelling out another goal from Güler, while Kylian Mbappé briefly put Madrid ahead again. Luis Díaz then equalised late in a frantic finish, while a red card for Eduardo Camavinga compounded Madrid’s misery.

Bayern sealed their semi-final spot thanks to a late winner from Michael Olise, completing a home-and-away triumph over the Spanish giants.

The 2025–26 Champions League semi-final first-leg fixtures are:

• Tuesday, April 28: Paris Saint-Germain F.C. vs Bayern Munich — 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 29: Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal F.C. — 8 p.m.

The return legs will be played on May 5 and 6, 2026.