Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes for a first-leg victory were dashed as Kai Havertz’s late penalty secured Arsenal a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash at the BayArena. The match saw both teams engaging in tight defensive play, limiting opportunities in the attacking third. Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich received an early yellow card but later scored the opening goal from a corner.
Despite Arsenal enjoying more possession, clear-cut chances were scarce, with Leverkusen’s defense proving resilient. Leverkusen took the lead soon after the break through Andrich’s header, but Arsenal struggled to break down the home side’s defense. The game saw a late twist as Havertz converted a penalty in the 89th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 and setting up an intriguing second leg in London.
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand expressed mixed feelings about the result, praising his team’s performance but lamenting the missed opportunity for a win. The draw leaves the tie finely poised for the return leg. In other last-16 matches, Real Madrid triumphed 3-0 over Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain secured a 5-2 victory against Chelsea, and Bodo/Glimt continued their impressive Champions League run with a 3-0 win over Sporting CP.
