In a thrilling encounter, Arsenal emerged victorious against Porto in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash, securing a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 after a tense penalty shootout.
This nail-biting match marked the first penalty shootout in the tournament since the 2016 final, and it was David Raya who stole the spotlight, making crucial saves as the Gunners triumphed 4-2 on penalties, ending a 14-year hiatus from the quarter-finals.
The Gunners leveled the aggregate score, erasing Porto's 1-0 first-leg lead, when Leandro Trossard found the back of the net just before halftime. However, Arsenal's hopes of taking the lead were dashed when Martin Odegaard had a goal controversially disallowed due to a perceived foul in the buildup.
Despite both teams pushing for a decisive goal in extra time, the deadlock persisted, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. Arsenal held their nerve, converting all four of their penalties, while Porto's fortunes took a turn for the worse when Wendell's effort struck the post. Raya then sealed the victory by denying Galeno's spot-kick, propelling Arsenal into the quarter-finals.
Reflecting on the momentous victory, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta expressed the team's elation, acknowledging the arduous journey to reach this stage after 14 years. Arteta credited the team's resilience and highlighted the growing energy and spirit within the stadium, signaling a promising trajectory for the Gunners in the competition.
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