Bayer Leverkusen were denied a first-leg win when Kai Havertz converted a late penalty to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw, Valverde hat-trick powers Real Madrid to win over Manchester City
Share
BERLIN — Bayer Leverkusen were denied a first-leg win when Kai Havertz converted a late penalty to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at the BayArena.
The opening exchanges were tense, with both sides relying on disciplined defending and leaving little space in the final third. Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich was involved early, receiving a yellow card after holding Viktor Gyokeres outside the area before drawing another warning from referee Halil Umut Meler moments later.
Although Arsenal saw more of the ball, clear chances were rare against a compact Leverkusen defense. The visitors came closest midway through the half when Gabriel Martinelli finished a swift move with a curling effort that struck the underside of the crossbar, reports Xinhua.
At the other end, Ibrahim Maza threatened sporadically as Leverkusen gradually gained a slight edge in attempts, but neither side was able to break the deadlock before halftime.
Leverkusen needed only seconds after the restart to move in front. Martin Terrier forced David Raya into a sharp save with a header, and the resulting corner from Alejandro Grimaldo reached the far post, where Andrich headed home from a tight angle.
Also read: Champions League: Bayern claim big win in round of 16 first leg, Galatasaray edge out Liverpool
Arsenal struggled to change the pattern of the match as the hosts remained compact and difficult to break down. Occasional aerial deliveries posed some danger, including moments involving Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber, but sustained pressure never developed as Leverkusen continued to defend with composure.
As the game entered its closing minutes, Arsenal finally found a decisive moment. Malik Tillman stretched to challenge Noni Madueke inside the area, and after a video review the referee upheld the penalty decision. Havertz, introduced from the bench, stepped up against his former club and converted from the spot in the 89th minute to make it 1-1.
The late equalizer leaves the tie finely balanced before next week's second leg in London.
"I have mixed emotions. We produced a top performance against a top team and allowed very few chances, so it's frustrating that it ended 1-1. Now we travel to London with high hopes and the belief that we can cause an upset," said Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Elsewhere in the last-16 ties, Federico Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice late on to give Paris Saint-Germain a commanding 5-2 advantage ahead of the second leg against Chelsea, while Bodo/Glimt extended their impressive run with a fifth straight Champions League win after beating Sporting CP 3-0.
Valverde hat-trick powers Real Madrid to Champions League win over Manchester City
MADRID — Fede Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0 at home in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Valverde opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 22nd minute when he controlled a long ball from Thibaut Courtois, slipped past Nico O'Reilly and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma, who appeared as though he could have done better.
His second goal came five minutes later when a deflected pass fell to him on the left side of the Manchester City penalty area, and he took one touch before firing a left-foot shot across Donnarumma, reports Xinhua.
The Uruguayan completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute after a pass from Brahim Diaz allowed him to flick the ball over Marc Guehi and smash home from close range to stun the visitors.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola fielded an attack-minded side in Madrid, with Rodri Hernandez as his only holding midfielder and Bernardo Silva in a more advanced role, while Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Savinho formed a line behind Erling Haaland.
Manchester City had looked the more likely side to score in the opening 20 minutes, with Doku causing problems down the left and flashing two balls across the face of goal, while O'Reilly had a chance and Silva volleyed just wide.
Valverde's first goal changed the game completely, and Guardiola brought on Tijjani Reijnders for the second half in place of Savinho, while Fran Garcia replaced Ferland Mendy at left back for Real Madrid after Mendy suffered a physical problem.
Brahim drew a good save from Donnarumma early in the second half, while Semenyo saw a shot blocked by Courtois before Vinicius Jr wasted a fine chance to make it 4-0.
The Brazilian got in behind a defense pushed beyond the halfway line, raced into the area and went down under a challenge from Donnarumma, only to hit a tame shot that the goalkeeper saved.
At the other end, Antonio Rudiger got a vital touch when Haaland looked set to score, while Courtois stuck out a saving foot to deny O'Reilly, who had dispossessed Real Madrid youngster Thiago Pitarch.
Real Madrid was content to contain its rival in the closing minutes, knowing it had built a cushion for the return leg that few would have expected.