Soccer

Raya the hero as Arsenal see off Porto on penalties to make Champions League quarters

Goalkeeper saves two penalties after game was a deadlock in normal time

Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, and goalkeeper David Raya. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty

Tue Mar 12 2024 - 23:07

Champions League: Arsenal 1 Porto 0 (1-1 on aggregate, Arsenal win 4-2 on penalties)

David Raya saved two penalties as Arsenal beat Porto 4-2 in a shoot-out to reach their first Champions League quarter-final in 14 years.

Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike cancelled out a first-leg deficit but Mikel Arteta’s side then struggled to create chances to win the game as the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate.

All four of Arsenal’s penalty takers were faultless as Raya kept out spot-kicks from Wendell and Galeno to take the Premier League leaders past the last-16 stage for the first time since 2010.

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As a player, Arteta suffered four straight defeats in this round of the competition but – having ended Arsenal’s seven-year Champions League exile – he has now guided his side into the final eight.

They could yet face rivals Manchester City, with the draw made on Friday, but for now they will be happy to have banished painful memories of defeats at this stage down the years – with seven consecutive exits in this round under Arsene Wenger.

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