Porto vs Arsenal - LIVE!

Arsenal were left stunned as Gelano netted a stunning 94th-minute winner to give Porto a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. In the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since 2017, and looking to end a 14-year wait for an appearance in the quarter-finals, the Gunners headed to Portugal on a run of five straight wins, with 21 goals scored in the process.

There was very little of that attacking form on display at the Estadio do Dragao though, as Arsenal failed to register a single shot on target. Porto were not hugely threatening themselves, until Gelano curled a sensational finish into the top corner from distance with near enough the final kick, to leave the Gunners with work to do.

It was a match lacking in any real quality or rhythm, with a constant stream of fouls halting any momentum either side threatened to build up. The two big first-half chances fell to Galeno, in the space of about three seconds. The Porto man pounced on some hesitation from William Saliba to meet a loose ball and fired a huge opportunity against the post, before somehow turning the rebound wide from a few yards out as the ball fell back to him. Gelano had the final say, but Arsenal will still be confident of getting the job done in the second leg in north London on March 12.

Porto vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Galeno wins it for Porto in 94th minute

• WOODWORK! Galeno wastes huge chance

Thanks for following!

22:32 , Matt Verri

It was typical that a game so devoid of quality was won by a moment of magic.

Arsenal and Porto had looked all set to play out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of this last-16 tie, until Galeno scored a winner with virtually the last kick of the game.

It was a hammer blow for Arsenal, who were on course to head back to Emirates Stadium next month as clear favourites to make the quarter-finals.

Now, they have a tough task on their hands and must find a way to beat a stubborn Porto side next month.

Read our full analysis here!

Arsenal stunned

22:04 , Matt Verri

If you’re going to score a late winner, might as well make it a good one...

FT: Porto 1-0 Arsenal

21:56 , Matt Verri

And that is that in Porto.

The hosts have won it deep into stoppage-time, stunning from Galeno.

Arsenal have work to do in the second leg.

GOAL! Porto 1-0 Arsenal | Galeno 90+4'

21:53 , Matt Verri

PORTO HAVE WON IT!

With pretty much the final kick. Incredible.

It’s a sensational finish, making up for his earlier misses.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:51 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Chance for the Gunners!

Arsenal with a free-kick this time, Rice swings in a really good ball and Gabriel can’t hit the target with his header.

He’s usually much better than that.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:50 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Terrible ball in, and so is the second attempt. Straight at Raya.

Four minutes added on. Four too many - end this horror show now.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:49 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Porto with a free-kick in a dangerous position, as the match ticks towards stoppage-time. Crazy how many soft fouls have been given.

Arsenal need to concentrate...

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:46 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Wendell is down briefly, got caught by Rice. Was a good challenge though from the Arsenal man, got the ball first.

Latest corner is swung in by Saka, flicked on at the near post but Porto deal with it.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:43 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Ball into the Arsenal box takes a big deflection, Raya does well to claim it under pressure.

Looking at some of the stats, the Gunners have made 20 ‘fouls’ in this match. I’d say maybe seven of those were fouls.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:41 , Matt Verri

81 mins: We’ve had ten shots in the whole match, five for each side.

Porto have had effort on target. Arsenal... none. The Gunners have offered basically nothing from open play.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:38 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Odegaard forces Saka wide, and the England star then overhits his pass as Jorginho has to turn back to the halfway line. Sums it up.

Arsenal back on the attack - corner time. This has been literally the only source of entertainment in this match.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:35 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Another Arsenal, more chaos as the goalkeeper goes down. About five potential culprits as he looks around for who stood on his foot.

Eventually Saka swings it in, Costa recovers to claim.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:33 , Matt Verri

73 mins: First Arsenal change.

Trossard is off, Jorginho is on. Sign that Arteta might be happy enough with a draw?

Havertz will move up front, you’d imagine.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:31 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Otavio gets himself into a mess as he turns back into his own box, Odegaard pressing high.

The defender stumbles, falls over... and is delighted to hear the whistle. Not sure about that.

Simon Collings at Estadio do Dragao

21:28 , Matt Verri

You can see the Arsenal players getting annoyed with the referee. Game is so stop-start.

Big 20 minutes or so here for Arsenal, 0-0 not a bad result at all.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:26 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Evanilson very nearly fires Porto in front.

Pepe skips away from Havertz, who can’t bring him down as he drives into the box.

Cut back to Evanilson, who is in a great position but Rice sticks a foot in to deflect the shot away.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:25 , Matt Verri

65 mins: We can’t go 30 seconds without a foul.

No flow at all to the match, neither side has played well. Porto will probably be the happier of the two, but needing a result at the Emirates isn’t a great position for them to be in.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:22 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Very harsh on Havertz, who is shown a yellow card for catching Varela... didn’t even see him. He looks bemused.

Gonzalez then joins him in the book, dragging Havertz back as he looked to break.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:19 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Saka with a rare chance to run at Wendell, goes on the outside.

Ball into the box, too much on it though and nobody in an Arsenal shirt is close to getting on the end of that.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:17 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Conceicao too good out wide, skips past Kiwior as he knocks it through his legs and he’s brought down. Yellow card for the Arsenal man.

Wendell takes it... and sends it miles over everyone and straight out of play. Woeful.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:16 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Trossard with a real chance!

Corner is pinged to the back post, Trossard completely free and he lashes a volley over the bar. So well worked.

Think the whistle might have gone for a foul anyway.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Havertz gets down the side of the Porto defence, cross is charged down but Arsenal will take a corner.

This looks their most likely route to a goal.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:12 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Conceicao with as cynical a foul as you will see, grabbing Martinelli’s shirt with both hands and dragging him back.

Odegaard swings the free-kick into the box, Porto deal with it easily.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:11 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Pepe (not that one) is charging down the right wing for Porto, Rice does really well to get back and halt his progress though.

Arteta then unhappy a throw-in decision goes against Arsenal. Brief smile as Pepe (that one) comes over and gives him a hug.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

21:07 , Matt Verri

48 mins: More of the same so far, not a huge amount to report.

A goalless draw wouldn’t be a bad result for Arsenal. They would back themselves to get the job done in north London.

Back underway!

21:04 , Matt Verri

Up and running again in Portugal!

In the Premier League...

20:59 , Matt Verri

Liverpool are facing Luton tonight, before they turn their focus to the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

The Hatters took an early lead at Anfield, getting the hopes up of Arsenal and Man City fans.

But Liverpool have responded, with three goals in 12 second-half minutes. Looks like they will be going four points clear of City and five ahead of Arsenal, having played a game more.

The big moment of the half...

20:55 , Matt Verri

The Porto fans were already celebrating!

Simon Collings at the Estadio do Dragao

20:50 , Matt Verri

Cagey game. Porto set up well and making things difficult for Arsenal, with two players sat in front of the defence.

Gunners been a bit sloppy and loose in possession at times.

Porto winger Galeno had the game's best chance, but somehow didn't score.

HT: Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:47 , Matt Verri

Every Arsenal corner is an event in itself.

White is down in the goal, having tried to put Costa off. Havertz again is picked out at the back post, heads wide. Another good chance.

And that’s half-time - a goalless 45 minutes in Portugal.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:46 , Matt Verri

45 mins: One-two between Saka and Trossard, shot comes in from Saka but it’s blocked. So many Porto shirts in the way.

Just a minute added on.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:43 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Havertz is there at the back post, as a couple of Porto players go down again.

It’s handball really from Havertz, who just swung anything at the ball. Out for a goal-kick anyway.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:42 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Another Arsenal corner - chaos guaranteed. Havertz is starting his run from near enough the edge of the area.

Saka’s initial ball is cleared out, he’ll get another chance... charged down. Corner.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:41 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Good spell this for Porto, giving as good as they get.

Lovely back heel finds Evanilson in the box, tries his luck from a tight angle. Takes a slight flick off Rice, but Raya makes a comfortable save.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:38 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Space opens up for Nico, goes for goal from 25 yards out.

Catches it decently enough, but it’s high and wide of Raya’s goal.

Simon Collings at Estadio do Dragao

20:36 , Matt Verri

Honestly, the amount of pushing going on at these corners, it's like the players are going through airport security.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:36 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Saka’s cross takes a big deflection, loops up and out off the top of the bar. Corner for the Gunners.

Referee delays it, warning Martinelli and Pepe over some wrestling.

Just wide! The blocking works as players fall over everywhere, Saliba gets up at the back post but flicks a header wide. Really good chance.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:33 , Matt Verri

32 mins: There is the first Arsenal effort.

Martinelli with some lovely footwork out wide, ball comes inside to Trossard. He tries his luck from distance, always rising well over the bar.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:31 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Arsenal just not looking quite as secure on the ball. Bit of hesitation, some loose play.

Still waiting for their first shot of the match, for all they have had more tha 70% of possession.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:28 , Matt Verri

27 mins: First Arsenal corner - White has his usual job of making himself a nuisance in front of the goalkeeper.

He’s shoved out the way though, as Costa comes off his line to claim the ball.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:25 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Arsenal looking to settle things down again after that crazy passage of play.

Porto pressing a bit higher up the pitch, encouraged by those two huge chances.

Martinelli gets his first chance to run at Mario, beats him and flashes the ball across the face of goal. Nobody there.

Simon Collings at the Estadio do Dragao

20:23 , Matt Verri

Even the PA announcer thought that was in, started playing music when the ball had gone wide.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:22 , Matt Verri

21 mins: HOW HAVE PORTO NOT SCORED?!

Galeno’s first effort smacks back off the post, comes straight to him again and from about four yards he somehow smashes it wide.

Raya didn’t have a clue where the ball was.

Simon Collings at the Estadio do Dragao

20:20 , Matt Verri

So cagey at the moment, with the game being played in the middle of the pitch.

Martinelli has loads of space out left, feels like he should be Arsenal's out-ball.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:20 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Porto on the counter, Arsenal a bit exposed as Conceicao leads the charge.

Plays it wide to Mario, who has space for the shot inside the box. Opts to take a touch though, and Kiwior gets across to close him down. Good defending.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:17 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Rice, Odegaard, Trossard and Martinelli all stood over the ball out wide, having a chat. Everyone has an opinion.

It’s Rice to swing it in and after all that, Costa punches it away. And the whistle goes anyway, free-kick against Gabriel.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:16 , Matt Verri

15 mins: Long, long spell of possession for the Gunners.

Odegaard drifts out to the left, Pepe comes flying out of defence and stands on his foot. Free-kick for Arsenal.

Rash from Pepe, for a change...

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:14 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Relatively low-key start to this match.

Arsenal with all of the ball but yet to really get going - Martinelli and Trossard have barely had a kick.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:11 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Raya charges off his line to clear the ball out of play.

The ball boy suddenly comes alive though and Porto have it back on with Raya out of position - Conceicao can’t find space for the shot.

Simon Collings at the Estadio do Dragao

20:10 , Matt Verri

 A few sloppy moments from Arsenal early on. Perhaps a sign of nerves?

Porto so far very happy to sit off and let them have the ball.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:08 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Arsenal dominating possession, as was expected.

Porto sitting deep in their shape, no real interest in pressing too high. Saliba and Gabriel with plenty of time on the ball.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:05 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Porto ball kids are well trained. The hosts knock it out of play, Odegaard charges over asking for a ball to take a throw-in quickly.

He’s faced by a ball boy dropping a ball on the ground and walking off. Everyone playing their part.

Porto 0-0 Arsenal

20:02 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Sloppy start from Arsenal - and Rice is booked with barely a minute on the clock.

The midfielder is pointing and talking to Saka, as Saliba plays him the ball. He doesn’t see it coming, reacts late and then lunges in late to try and make up for it.

Yellow card, frustrating start for Rice.

KICK-OFF!

20:00 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running!

Here we go!

19:56 , Matt Verri

Teams are in the tunnel.

Arsenal the big favourites in this tie, but Porto are unbeaten in their last ten matches on home soil.

Arteta explains unchanged lineup

19:53 , Matt Verri

“One is momentum, one is the players performances,” he tells TNT Sports.

“They have given no reason to do anything. As well as the game we expect, I think it fits the players we have on the pitch.”

Warm-up time!

19:46 , Matt Verri

Kick-off just under 15 minutes away now...

Simon Collings at the Estadio do Dragao

19:43 , Matt Verri

Stadium PA announcer seemingly dead set on playing Pitbull, followed by more Pitbull.

Atmosphere not quite building yet...

Havertz back in Porto

19:36 , Matt Verri

Kai Havertz says he is enjoying his new “pocket position” at Arsenal.

It is a big night for the German - the Estadio do Dragao holds a special place in Havertz’s heart, after he scored the winner here for Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final.

Havertz led the line for the Blues in that win over Manchester City, but at Arsenal he has mainly been used in midfield.

The 24-year-old had a slow start following his £65million move from Chelsea last summer, but he scored in Saturday’s 5-0 win at Burnley and now has six goals to his name this season.

“I think this pocket position suits me quite well, but wherever I play I’ll give everything,” said Havertz. “I’ve said it many times, but I feel comfortable wherever. I like to be on the pitch and I am not a player who is just in one position.

“I like to switch, to be flexible, and I think that is one of my strengths. I’m going to give everything wherever I play — that is the most important thing.”

Simon Collings at Estadio do Dragao

19:31 , Matt Verri

Arsenal fans are right up in the gods here, as is often the way for these European games.

They've spent the day drinking by the river in the sun, though, so I guess that's a decent trade.

Arteta: History not a concern for Arsenal

19:27 , Matt Verri

Arsenal were knocked out at the last-16 stage of the Champions League seven times in a row between 2011 to 2017.

Mikel Arteta was at the club for six of those years but, asked if he has spoken to the current squad about those struggles, he said: “No, I have not had any conversation related to that.

“They [the current squad] know that we have not been in the competition for seven years, obviously as some of them were here and they know the story.

“And they know that what happened in the past is irrelevant, it is the challenge and ambition that we have now to go through.

“Someone called [Lionel] Messi was another obstacle as well [when I played] and Bayern Munich that we faced three times.

“This competition is what it is. Individual quality is extremely important.”

Simon Collings at Estadio do Dragao

19:22 , Matt Verri

Can Arsenal take a positive result back to north London?

Gabriel: Arsenal can compete on two fronts

19:17 , Matt Verri

Gabriel believes Arsenal are peaking at just the right time in their bid to win the Champions League and Premier League.

Five straight wins have fired the Gunners back into the title race and tonight they resume their push for European glory.

Asked if Arsenal have the quality in their squad to compete for both the Champions League and Premier League this season, Gabriel said: “Of course, the team is in a crescendo.

“We have learned a lot in the last few years and now we are in a crescendo, at a very good level. We can compete in any competition. The Champions League is a different feeling, but we are prepared.”

Simon Collings at Estadio do Dragao

19:12 , Matt Verri

Hardly a surprise that Arsenal have named an unchanged team after 6-0 and 5-0 wins.

The attack, in particular, has looked transformed recently and Leandro Trossard could be the key tonight. He has been excellent as a false nine.

Porto team news

19:09 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Costa, Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell, Varela, Gonzalez, Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno, Evanilson

Subs: Eustaquio, Grujic, Ramos, Sanchez, Jaime, Loader, Franco, Baro, Martinez, Borges, Ze Pedro, Cardoso.

Gunners unchanged!

19:07 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta goes with the same side for the third match in a row. No surprise there.

Leandro Trossard again leads the line, with Kai Havertz in midfield. Jakub Kiwior continues at left-back.

Fabio Vieira returns to the squad and is named on the bench against his former club.

Arsenal team news

19:02 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Cedric, Heaven, Sweet, Elneny, Nwaneri, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Jorginho, Nelson, Nketiah

Stand by...

18:53 , Matt Verri

Team news coming up very shortly.

Our man Simon Collings is in position at the Estadio do Dragao.

Arsenal have little to fear in Europe

18:44 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta and his squad are entering uncharted territory, but the knockout stage of the Champions League should hold no fear for Arsenal, writes Simon Collings.

The Gunners are flying right now and go into the first leg of their last-16 tie with Porto on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley and five Premier League wins on the spin.

They have scored 21 goals on that run and have arrived here in Portugal full of confidence.

At the start of the season, some felt Arsenal might struggle in the Champions League, given their lack of experience at Europe’s top table.

This is Arteta’s first time managing in the competition, while only 11 of his squad had played at this level before this season.

But Arsenal topped their group with a game to spare and are third favourites with the bookmakers to win the trophy at Wembley on June 1.

Read our full preview here!

Arsenal teenager in demand

18:37 , Matt Verri

Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven is attracting interest from Premier League clubs.

The 17-year-old signed scholarship terms with Arsenal last summer, but is yet to sign a professional contract.

Heaven is highly rated by Arsenal and he has travelled with the squad to Porto.

The teenager operates best in central midfield, but he has also been training at centre-back and left-back over the past few weeks.

Heaven was a big Arsenal fan growing up, but he joined West Ham when he was eight and spent four years there.

He was let go at the age of 12 and spent a few months with Chelsea on trial. The Blues did not keep Heaven on and he elected to join Arsenal.

Arsenal look to end long wait

18:30 , Matt Verri

Arsenal’s most recent appearance in the quarter-finals of the Champions League came in 2010.

Since then, it has been seven last-16 ties, seven defeats.

Bayern Munich beat the Gunners three times, Barcelona twice, while AC Milan and Monaco also got the better of Arsene Wenger’s side.

Room for improvement, shall we say...

Costa: Arsenal have weaknesses

18:22 , Matt Verri

Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is confident his side can exploit “weaknesses” in the Arsenal team.

The Gunners are in scintillating form, having scored at least three goals in four of their last five Premier League games.

Costa, however, is confident the Portuguese side have more than enough to pull off what would be a surprising result in the last-16.

“We are prepared for everything Arsenal can do, both offensively and defensively,” he told a press conference on Tuesday.

“Everyone has their weaknesses, they haven’t faced FC Porto yet and they will certainly have their difficulties.

“It’s a very offensive team with some weaknesses that we will exploit to the fullest.”

Vieira acting as 'insider' for Arsenal

18:10 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has revealed Fabio Vieira has been acting as an “insider” for Arsenal ahead of tonight’s clash.

The 23-year-old has had an important role to play in the build-up to this match, against the club he left to join the Gunners in 2022, telling his team-mates what to expect at the Estadio do Dragao.

“Regarding Fabio really happy with him but at the same time sad because it’s been a tough period for him,” Arteta said.

“Especially with the last injury when he had some momentum and performances he got injured, that broke up his rhythm, just like last season. He’s a player with enormous talent and we will get the best out of him.

“He was really pushing because he wanted to be here, that’s for sure. Having an insider, someone who has experience as someone who has lived the culture and the club.

“It’s very important in Europe to understand the context of the game. Where you’re going, what type of club they are, what type of atmosphere you will be facing.

“He gave us some important information that’s relevant for us.”

Stage is set!

18:04 , Matt Verri

One thing is guaranteed - there will be plenty of noise inside the Estadio do Dragao tonight!

Standard Sport prediction

17:58 , Matt Verri

Porto are off the pace in their domestic title race yet performed well in the group stages. Ultimately, their squad is no match for Arsenal, who are enjoying a five-game winning run.

It is possible that the Gunners even put the tie to bed in the first leg, if they can maintain their recent goalscoring form.

Arsenal to win, 3-0.

Arsenal team news

17:52 , Matt Verri

Arsenal could welcome back Fabio Vieira tonight, but they remain without Thomas Partey.

Vieira has been absent since November after undergoing groin surgery, while Partey has been out of action since October due to a thigh injury.

Both players are back in training now and took part in Arsenal’s session on Tuesday morning at their base in London Colney. Partey, though, has not travelled.

Partey and Vieira’s returns are good news for Mikel Arteta, although he will have to contend without Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf).

Leandro Trossard could lead the line again after excelling as a false nine recently, although Kai Havertz is an option as a target man.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Porto team news

17:43 , Matt Verri

Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio is a key doubt tonight for Porto.

The Portuguese side have already lost defenders Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Marcano to serious knee injuries this term.

How to watch Porto vs Arsenal

17:37 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action tonight here with us!

Good evening!

17:31 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Porto vs Arsenal!

It’s the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie, with the Gunners in Portugal looking to find a positive result to take back to north London.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm GMT from Estadio do Dragao.