“Robert Andrich powers home a header from Alejandro Grimaldo's corner to give Leverkusen the lead”
Pivotal“Kai Havertz steps up to convert the penalty and rescue a precious away draw for Arsenal”
Pivotal
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Arsenal
Outstanding performance
Bayer 04 Leverkusen•MidfielderArsenal rescued a crucial away draw in this Champions League first leg after falling behind to Robert Andrich's second-half header from a corner. Bayer Leverkusen dominated the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead immediately after the break when Andrich powered home Alejandro Grimaldo's precise cross. The German side looked comfortable protecting their advantage until a late penalty drama saw Malik Tillman foul Noni Madueke in the box, allowing Kai Havertz to convert from the spot with just minutes remaining. This 1-1 result leaves the tie perfectly poised for the second leg, with Arsenal holding the slight psychological advantage of scoring a vital away goal in the closing stages.
How entertaining was this match?
Kai Havertz from Arsenal committed a foul.
Aleix García from Bayer 04 Leverkusen earned a free kick in the defensive area.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of stoppage time added.
Goal! It's Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1, Arsenal 1. Kai Havertz from Arsenal steps up and scores the penalty, striking it with his left foot into the bottom left corner.
Malik Tillman commits a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty awarded to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Arsenal has been awarded a penalty! Noni Madueke is brought down inside the box.
William Saliba from Arsenal has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Opportunity squandered. Jurriën Timber of Arsenal attempted a header from close range but failed to convert.
William Saliba from Arsenal committed a foul.
Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been awarded a free kick on the left flank.
Substitution for Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Jonas Hofmann comes on to replace Martin Terrier.
Substitution for Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Ezequiél Fernández comes on to replace Exequiel Palacios.
Substitution for Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus comes on to replace Eberechi Eze.
Offside call against Arsenal. Kai Havertz has been caught in an offside position.
Martín Zubimendi of Arsenal has been awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Martin Terrier committed a foul against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Corner awarded to Arsenal after Malik Tillman allowed the ball to go out.
Opportunity wasted! Aleix García of Bayer 04 Leverkusen took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal. The assist came from Christian Kofane after a quick counterattack.
The pause has concluded. They are set to resume play.
Match halted due to an injury to Robert Andrich of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Substitution for Arsenal: Kai Havertz comes on for Viktor Gyökeres.
Substitution for Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Malik Tillman is coming on to replace Ibrahim Maza.
Viktor Gyökeres commits a foul against Arsenal.
Viktor Gyökeres committed a foul against Arsenal.
Martín ZubimendiYellow CardMartín Zubimendi of Arsenal has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Martín Zubimendi commits a foul against Arsenal.
Missed opportunity. Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen attempted a left-footed shot from over 40 yards out on the left flank.
Exequiel PalaciosYellow CardExequiel Palacios of Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Corner kick awarded to Arsenal after Robert Andrich allowed the ball to go out.
Substitution for Arsenal: Noni Madueke comes on to replace Bukayo Saka.
Ernest PokuYellow CardErnest Poku of Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal was awarded a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Ernest Poku committed a foul against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Missed opportunity! Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Eberechi Eze, who delivered a cross.
assist: Alejandro Grimaldo
Goal! Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes the lead, 1-0 against Arsenal. Robert Andrich scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Alejandro Grimaldo, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.
Corner awarded to Bayer 04 Leverkusen after David Raya allowed the ball to go out.
Another offensive effort underway. Martin Terrier of Bayer 04 Leverkusen heads the ball from the center of the box, but David Raya from Arsenal makes a fantastic save, catching it in the upper center of the goal. The assist came from Alejandro Grimaldo, who delivered a precise cross.
The second half is underway with the score still tied at Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0, Arsenal 0.
The first half has concluded with Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal both locked in a scoreless draw, 0-0.
Missed opportunity. Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Exequiel Palacios.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of stoppage time.
Corner awarded to Bayer 04 Leverkusen after Martín Zubimendi allowed it.
The attempt is thwarted. Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a left-footed shot from a challenging angle on the left, but it's blocked. The assist came from Alejandro Grimaldo.
The attempt on goal is thwarted. Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Exequiel Palacios.
The attempt is thwarted. Bukayo Saka from Arsenal takes a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Declan Rice.
Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Bukayo Saka from Arsenal earned a free kick on the right flank.
Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Declan Rice from Arsenal committed a foul.
Aleix García from Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Gabriel MartinelliYellow CardGabriel Martinelli of Arsenal has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Gabriel Martinelli committed a foul for Arsenal.
Exequiel Palacios from Bayer 04 Leverkusen earned a free kick in the defensive area.
William Saliba of Arsenal committed a foul.
Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen earned a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Another offensive push underway. Piero Hincapié from Arsenal takes a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but Janis Blaswich of Bayer 04 Leverkusen makes a fantastic save, denying him in the top left corner.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match halted due to an injury to Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal.
A shot is deflected. Jarell Quansah from Bayer 04 Leverkusen attempts a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Christian Kofane.
Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal strikes the crossbar with a left-footed shot taken from the left side of the penalty area.
Missed opportunity! Ibrahim Maza from Bayer 04 Leverkusen took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the left. The assist came from Christian Kofane after a quick counterattack.
Exequiel Palacios from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Another offensive push is underway. Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but the attempt is successfully stopped.
Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal committed a foul.
Christian Kofane from Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Viktor Gyökeres from Arsenal earned a free kick on the left flank.
Robert Andrich from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Opportunity wasted. Bukayo Saka from Arsenal took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick, but it went wide to the left.
Robert AndrichYellow CardRobert Andrich from Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Viktor Gyökeres of Arsenal has earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Robert Andrich from Bayer 04 Leverkusen committed a foul.
Bukayo Saka committed a foul for Arsenal.
Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer 04 Leverkusen earned a free kick in the defensive area.
The opening half of the match begins now.
Arsenal travel to BayArena for a crucial Champions League Round of 16 clash with Bayer Leverkusen, carrying momentum from their perfect league phase campaign. With the tie level at 0-0 from the first leg and key players missing through injury, this promises to be a tactical battle between two contrasting styles.
