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Sporting CP vs Arsenal LIVE: Second half underway in the 2026 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals first leg! (0-0)

Sporting CP and Arsenal start the second half of their Champions League quarterfinal tie in Lisbon. Stay locked in for every goal, tactical shift, and major moment with our live matchday blog.

Declan Rice of Arsenal is put under pressure by Geny Catamo of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
© Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesDeclan Rice of Arsenal is put under pressure by Geny Catamo of Sporting Clube de Portugal.

The second half started in this high-stakes Champions League quarterfinal first leg between Sporting CP and Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta and Rui Borges both boast remarkably healthy squads, with nearly full-strength rosters available for selection. As the Gunners look to assert their European dominance and Sporting aim to continue their “giant-killer” run, all eyes will be on how these two tactical heavyweights trade blows in the opening 90 minutes.

Follow every goal, key moment, and live highlight of this massive Champions League matchup right here with Bolavip US.

45'- Second half underway! (0-0)

Sporting and Arsenal play the last 45 minutes of this first game of the quarterfinals round in the Champions League.

First half statistics

Possession: Sporting CP 48% | Arsenal 52%

Total Shots: Sporting CP 4 | Arsenal 3

Shots on Target: Sporting CP 1 | Arsenal 1

Pass Accuracy: Sporting CP 81% | Arsenal 85%

Yellow Cards: Sporting CP 2 | Arsenal 0

Corners: Sporting CP 1 | Arsenal 2

45'- First half ends! (0-0)

Without additional time, Arsenal and Sporting CP end the first half. 

42' - Sporting have reduced the difference in ball possession (0-0)

The Portuguese side have made multiple passes, and with it, they are holding a 48% and Arsenal are at 52%.

40' - Sporting can't find the space to create a chance (0-0)

The ball moves from one way to another and Sporting can't find the spot to create dangerous chances.

37' - Arsenal try, but it's not accurate (0-0)

Their passing have become an issue to find the goal defended by Silva, despite they have the ball possession. They haven't been able to create a clear chance in the last minutes.

35' - Arsenal keep the ball possession (0-0)

Sporting does not seem comfortable currently in the game, while Arsenal keep attacking to score the first goal of the game with Madueke and Rice.

33' - Second yellow card of the game (0-0)

Luis Javier Suarez sees the yellow card due to exchange with the referee about a play. 

31' - First yellow card of the game (0-0)

Morita sees the first yellow card of the game for Sporting. Free kick for Arsenal.

30' - Arsenal take control of the game (0-0)

During this first 30 minutes of playing, Arsenal have taken the ball possession and Sporting are trying hard to make things happen. However, the score remains the same as we started the matchup, and there is expectation for the final result.

27' - Sporting can't break Arsenal's defense (0-0)

The Portuguese side is trying hard to make things happen from the defenders to the strikers, but in this case, it's Arsenal's defense which have controlled the attacks from Sporting.

25' - Sporting want to equal the ball possession (0-0)

Trincao and the defenders from Sporting are trying to keep the ball on their possession, as Arsenal reduced their intensity during this part of the game.

23' - Ball possession for Arsenal now (0-0)

71% of the ball possession is for Arsenal and 29% is for Sporting so far.

21' - Arsenal get aid from Odegaard and Rice (0-0)

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are trying to help Arsenal to get the ball and are the ones trying to put the strikers in the best possible position to score, but Sporting are defending outstandingly so far.

19' - Sporting take control of the ball again (0-0)

Despite Arsenal are pressing in Sporting's area, the Portuguese side took control of the ball possession.

17' - Arsenal are waiting for a mistake (0-0)

Arsenal's strikers are trying hard to make things difficult for Sporting's defense and the pressing is one of their tools.

15' - Arsenal start to press Sporting's area (0-0)

After the last couple of minutes were intense from Sporting in the offense, Arsenal are now trying to score with free kicks. Also, with corner kicks they want to break the tie at Estadio Jose Alvalade, but without success.

12' - Luis Suarez starts to appear for Sporting (0-0)

The Colombian striker is trying hard to find the ball in Arsenal's goal defended by David Raya. However, he hasn't had a clear chance to score.

10' - Arsenal wait for their chance to score (0-0)

As predicted, Sporting try to score since the first minute of the game, and Arsenal are waiting for their chance to score on Silva's goal.

8' - Araujo keeps pressing Arsenal (0-0)

The player had a second chance to score, but this time the ball went wide.

6' - SPORTING HIT THE POST! (0-0)

Despite it was an offside, Araujo hit the post with his left foot. The stadium went wild after that chance to score.

4' - Sporting take the ball possession in the last couple of minutes (0-0)

With the situation controlled by Arsenal in the first minutes of the game, Sporting now have the ball and there is expectation for what can happen with this.

2' - Arsenal have the ball in the first couple of minutes (0-0)

As expected in the beginning of the matchup, Arsenal have the ball on their side of the field. Sporting wait for the best time to attack.

0' - First half underway! (0-0)

The first half starts at Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Why are Bukayo Saka and Eberiche Eze not playing for Arsenal?

Arsenal will have to navigate this opening leg without two of their most dynamic creators. Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze have both been ruled out of today’s quarterfinal clash against Sporting CP.

Both teams doing warm up activities

Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at the Jose Alvalade stadium!

Today's venue

All eyes turn to Lisbon tonight as Sporting CP prepare to host Arsenal in the first leg of a high-stakes UEFA Champions League quarterfinal. The clash will unfold at the iconic Jose Alvalade Stadium, a venue steeped in European football lore.

Since opening its doors for Euro 2004, the Alvalade has served as a theater for some of the sport’s most significant moments. From hosting a UEFA Cup Final to serving as a primary battleground for the Portuguese National Team’s World Cup qualifying campaigns, the 50,000-seat stadium is renowned for its intimidating atmosphere and rich history.

Sporting CP confirmed lineup

Sporting CP's starting XI: Rui Silva; Ivan Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Goncalo Inacio, Maximiliano Araujo; Hidemasa Morita, Joao Simoes, Geny Catamo, Trincao; Luis Javier Suarez, Pedro Goncalves

Arsenal confirmed lineup

Arsenal's starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard.

Referees for today's matchup

Daniel Siebert has been appointed to officiate the clash between Sporting CP and Arsenal. He will be joined on the field by Jan Siedel and Rafael Foltyn, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.

Full officiating team:

  • Referee: Daniel Siebert - Germany
  • Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel - Germany
  • Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn - Germany
  • Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager - Germany
  • VAR: Bastian Dankert - Germany
  • Assistant VAR: Soren Storks - Germany

Start time and how to watch

Sporting CP vs Arsenal will get underway at 3:00 PM ET (PT: 12:00 PM)

Watch this 2026 UEFA Champions League match between Sporting CP and Arsenal live in the USA on Paramount + or VIX.

Sporting CP and Arsenal clash in Champions League

Welcome to our live blog of the UEFA Champions League clash!

Sporting CP face Arsenal in Lisbon, in a crucial clash as both teams aim to have the advantage for the second leg game. Sporting CP look to win at home, while Arsenal arrive hoping to get a positive result.

Stay with us for key updates and minute-by-minute action as Sporting CP and Arsenal battle it out in Lisbon!