LONDON — Arsenal survived a penalty shootout to scrape past Porto and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years after a tense last-16 duel had ended 1-1 on aggregate on Tuesday.
Porto, who won the opening leg 1-0, proved stubborn opposition for the Premier League leaders and Arsenal fans must have feared another night of European heartache.
But Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all tucked away their spot kicks with clinical precision.
Porto's Wendell saw his effort somehow stay out after hitting the post and Arsenal keeper David Raya then became the hero as he kept out Galeno's penalty to send Arsenal through 4-2 in the shootout and spark wild celebrations.
DAVID RAYA SENDS ARSENAL TO THE UCL QUARTER FINALS pic.twitter.com/BR00FTlPHJ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 12, 2024
Leandro Trossard's well-taken effort shortly before halftime had levelled the tie but Arsenal struggled to break down a disciplined Porto side who also carved out some decent chances.
The pass from Martin Odegaard. The finish from Leandro Trossard. And now the Emirates is ROARING. pic.twitter.com/EqexVkG5Wy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 12, 2024
Extra time failed to separate the sides but Mikel Arteta's team held their nerve to snap a run of seven successive exits at the last-16 stage.
The last time Arsenal reached the quarter-finals in 2010 they also beat Porto in the last 16 and they will go into Friday's draw full of confidence that they can go further.
It was tough on Porto who produced a classic away performance with Evanilson twice going close to extending the lead they had taken to London from the first leg.
But they were left with nothing to show for it as their dreadful record away to English clubs continued with a 20th defeat from 24 games.
Arsenal vs Porto highlights
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, Editing by Toby Davis)
