Arsenal’s hopes of making it to the quarter-final of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League was dealt a big blow after conceding a dying minute goal against Porto at the Estadio do Drago to lose the encounter by 1-0.
Brazilian forward Galeno hit a sensational stoppage-time winner as FC Porto secured a 1-0 victory over a toothless Arsenal that has scored 11 goals in their last tow premier League encounters.
The hosts saw little of the ball in the early stages but should have opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Galeno volleyed against the post before firing a close-range rebound wide.
Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances but went close through William Saliba’s header from Bukayo Saka’s right-wing corner.
The result meant that Arsenal would have to overturn the 1-0 deficit in the second leg tie at the emirate to make it to the last 8 of the competition.
Gunners will now return to Premier League action at home to Newcastle on Saturday with the second leg of this tie at the Emirates set for March 12.
Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen salvaged a draw for Napoli in his first club appearance since December as they held Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 first leg.
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Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski handed Barca the lead in the 60th minute in Italy when he arrowed an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Barcelona were dominant against a Napoli side whose final-third efforts were often lacking in Francesco Calzona’s first game in charge.
But the hosts eventually found a way back when Osimhen slipped past his marker in the box before rifling past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to level.