Havertz scored the game-winning, title-clinching goal for Chelsea in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City. This time around, he’s doing his part to help another London-based club conquer Europe.

While Havertz scored against Man. City, Messi’s favorite victim was the other club in that city, Manchester United. Messi has two goals in Champions League finals, both against the Red Devils though in different years. His first was in 2009, as Barcelona defeated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man. U in Rome.

Messi’s second goal in a UCL final was the game-winner at Wembley Stadium in 2011, when Barcelona defeated Man. United 3-1. In 2015, Barcelona defeated Juventus by a score of 3-1, but Messi didn’t score as he hoisted the trophy for the fourth time in his career.

Havertz strikes again

“Cobra Kai” is proving to be clutch, once more. So far in his career, he’s appeared in two Champions League finals, and he’s found the back of the net in both ocassions. Thus, Arsenal‘s German striker has a better scoring average in finals than Messi in title games, with an average of a goal per final.

Messi has won four Champions League in his career, but only played in three finals—he missed the 2005-06 final with a muscle injury. Having scored twice in three games, he has an average of 0.66 goals in finals.

Havertz tied for third most goals in finals

With his second goal in a final, Havertz has joined an extensive list of players to score two goals in Champions League finals. The list includes the likes of Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Sergio Ramos, and Desire Doue, among many others.

Ronaldo is in the lead thanks to his four tallies (one with Manchester United and three with Real Madrid) in title-deciding showdowns. The Portuguese is followed by Gareth Bale with three goals.

In just the 5th minute of the final between Arsenal and PSG, Havertz gathered a ball in midfield, drove it all the way to the edge of the Parisian box, and executed a fantastic finish to give the Gunners an early lead.

The German international is no stranger to finding the back of the net on European soccer’s biggest stage. In 2021, Havertz scored the lone goal for Chelsea against Manchester City to secure the trophy for the Blues. By scoring today, Havertz becomes only the fourth player in history to score in a Champions League or European Cup final for two separate teams, according to Spanish soccer data analyst MisterChip:

• Velibor Vasovic: Partizan (1966) and Ajax (1969)
• Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United (2008) and Real Madrid (2014, 2017)
• Mario Mandzukic: Bayern Munich (2013) and Juventus (2017)
• Kai Havertz: Chelsea (2021) and Arsenal (2026)

Kai Havertz becomes the first to score for two teams from the same country

As the historical records show, Havertz is the only player among these four icons to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs representing the exact same country. What makes this milestone even more remarkable is that both Chelsea and Arsenal hail from the same city: London.

Back in 2021, Havertz’s final-winning goal also arrived in the first half, though it came much later in the period. In that match, the German star struck in the 42nd minute, providing the solo goal that allowed Chelsea to lift the trophy.

Now, Gunners fans around the globe are hoping that history is firmly on their side. Soccer supporters often look for poetic historical patterns to fuel their optimism, and this incredible milestone is exactly what the Arsenal faithful will cling to as they dream of capturing the very first Champions League title in their club’s history.

In a play in the 67th minute, Havertz committed a very harsh foul on Chimunanya Ugochukwu during a battle for the ball in midfield. Havertz slided, but planted his cleats into the calf area of his opponent in a play that easily could have injured him. However, the Premier League maintain that it was not a situation for the referee to review for a red card.

On the account Premier League Match Centre, they stated the following: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play.”

Havertz as Arsenal’s hero

Despite that situation, Havertz stepped up as a hero for the Gunners, scoring the game-winning goal in the first half thanks to an assist from Bukayo Saka. The goal came from a corner kick where Havertz rose and connected with a header.

Arsenal’s remarkable stat

With that somewhat blatant foul and the unissued ejection for Havertz, Arsenal continue to have zero penalties and zero red cards awarded against them this season. We will probably witness history on the final matchday, because no team has managed to emerge as champions with such a record in the Premier League.

With the updated Premier League standings after the win, Arsenal depend on themselves for the title, while Manchester City sit second with 77 points and still have a game in hand against Bournemouth on Tuesday. If Man City tie or lose, Arsenal will clinch the Premier League title on Tuesday. If City win, Arsenal only need to to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday to secure the championship.

If City beat Bournemouth but drop points against Aston Villa on Sunday, Arsenal will also be crowned champions regardless of their own result. The Citizens’ only chance to win the Premier League now is to win both of their remaining games and hope Arsenal don’t beat Crystal Palace.

In a move that sent shockwaves through the Emirates, the trio will start this second-leg tie from the bench. Instead, Arteta is leaning on Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, and teenage sensation Lewis-Skelly to carry the load from the opening whistle.

Arsenal will also be without Jurrien Timber, who remains sidelined and has yet to feature in the Champions League knockout stages. However, the Gunners are bolstered by the return of Riccardo Calafiori, who rejoins the squad after a recent injury spell.

The aggregate score remains deadlocked at 1–1 following a contentious first leg at the Riyadh Metropolitano, where both sides converted penalties. Now, Arsenal face a winner-take-all scenario and you can follow every highlight and detail of the game in our liveblog coverage, for a ticket to the Champions League Final, with either PSG or Bayern Munich waiting on the other side of the bracket.

Scenarios for Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid

With the aggregate score deadlocked at 1-1, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid enter today’s second leg with their seasons on the line. And the remaining question is what happens if Arsenal win, tie or lose against The Spaniards?

There is no margin for error at the Emirates today. Both clubs have made this tournament their ultimate priority, particularly Diego Simeone’s side, which is riding high after losing the Copa del Rey title against Real Sociedad just weeks ago.

With the La Liga race currently a two-horse battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Champions League represents Atletico’s best shot at a historic title title in Europe.

Arsenal chasing an exclusive piece of history

If the Gunners can navigate this final hurdle and secure the trophy, they would join an elite fraternity of clubs to be crowned European champions with an undefeated record. Having swept the league phase and remained clinical through the knockouts, Arteta’s squad is on the verge of one of the most dominant runs in the competition’s history.

The stage is set for a heavyweight European clash. After a tactical chess match last week at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the “winner-take-all” stakes in London have fans expecting a classic. With a ticket to the final on the line, today’s matchup promises to be the defining moment of the season for two of the continent’s most formidable powers.

Havertz missed the trip after failing to recover fully from a groin issue that kept him out of training sessions earlier this week, while Timber continues dealing with a muscular setback that has limited his availability in recent matches.

The absence of Havertz is especially significant for the team’s attack. The German international had become one of the club’s most versatile offensive pieces and Mike Arteta had recently used him in multiple attacking roles. Havertz, in fact, gave Arsenal a crucial win over Sporting CP to reach this stage.

How and when did Kai Havertz get injured?

Kai Havertz suffered a groin injury during Arsenal’s Premier League match against Newcastle United on April 25, forcing him off before halftime just days before the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

He appeared in visible discomfort during the first half and immediately signaled toward Arsenal’s bench before being substituted in the 33rd minute. Reports later confirmed the issue was related to his groin and upper leg area.

The German forward had actually started to regain strong form after previous injury problems earlier in the season. Against Newcastle, he even provided the assist for Eberechi Eze’s winning goal before being forced out of the match.

The timing of the injury created immediate concern inside Arsenal because Havertz had become one of Mikel Arteta’s most versatile attacking players during the club’s Champions League run. He had recently operated as both a striker and attacking midfielder depending on the tactical setup.

When will Kai Havertz return to play?

Kai Havertz is expected to return before the end of the season, although Arsenal ruled him out of the first leg against Atletico Madrid, where a win, tie or loss could impact the return leg. Early medical evaluations reportedly avoided the worst-case scenario.

Several English reports indicate the club still expects the German forward to play a role during the Premier League title run-in and potentially later Champions League matches if Arsenal advance.

Mikel Arteta described the problem as a “muscular niggle” shortly after the Newcastle game, suggesting Arsenal decided against taking risks before such a physically demanding semifinal in Madrid.

Although he missed training ahead of the Atletico Madrid trip, there is growing confidence inside the club that Havertz could return within the next few matches rather than facing a lengthy absence.

How and when did Jurrien Timber get injured?

Jurrien Timber suffered a groin and pelvic-related injury in mid-March and has remained sidelined since then. He initially picked up the issue during the Premier League match against Everton, and the injury later developed into a lingering muscular problem that prevented him from returning to full training.

Before the injury, he had played as both a center back and right back under Mikel Arteta, often helping Arsenal maintain defensive balance during high-pressure matches. Reports from the final training session before Atletico Madrid confirmed he did not participate with the squad.

When will Jurrien Timber return to play?

There is currently no official return date for Jurrien Timber. Unlike Havertz’s situation, his recovery process has been more uncertain because he continues experiencing discomfort during rehabilitation sessions.

The defender has now missed several consecutive matches, including major Champions League fixtures, and his absence against Atletico Madrid raised further doubts about whether he will be ready for the second leg.

How have the players performed for Arsenal?

Kai Havertz became one of the most productive attacking players during the second half of the campaign, contributing goals, assists and tactical flexibility across multiple positions.

His movement between midfield and attack helped Arsenal adapt in several Champions League knockout matches, while his chemistry with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard improved significantly during the spring stretch of the season.

Timber, meanwhile, established himself as one of the most reliable defensive options. His versatility allowed Arteta to rotate systems seamlessly, and his composure in possession became especially valuable during competition.

Even with the injuries, Arsenal still arrive at the semifinal carrying strong momentum after eliminating several major European opponents during the tournament. But losing experienced players at this stage increases the pressure on the squad’s depth as the club chases its first Champions League final appearance since 2006.

During the MLS All-Star week, both the Major League Soccer All.-Stars and Arsenal first teamers competed in a skills competition which is traditional in the US league before the midseason exhibition.

While stars shined on both sides, Kai Havertz went viral for being off target in every one of his attempts in the cross-and-volley challenge.

Kai Havertz flops in MLS All Star week

Kai Havertz had shots blocked and shot balls way above the crossbar, he is the first player in MLS All-Star skills history to not register a single point in the cross-and-volley challenge.

More importantly for the former Chelsea striker, Havertz will want to improve on just 19 goals in 91 Premier League matches for Chelsea. Havertz was signed by Arsenal for a reported fee of £65 million.

Karim Benzema‘s departure for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad leaves a huge vacancy at Real Madrid. Therefore, the club has been linked with a number of players, including Harry Kane or Kai Havertz.

However, neither the English striker nor the German star would be available this summer. While Tottenham remain reluctant to sell their captain, the Chelsea forward is reportedly joining Arsenal.

Of course, a move for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has also drawn a lot of speculation, but it looks like Madrid are exploring other alternatives anyway. The latest word on the street is they have set their sights on an Argentine world champion.

Rumor: Real Madrid to ask price for Lautaro Martinez

According to Sport, Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina at Qatar 2022. The club’s idea would be to ask how much the Nerazzurri want for him, and then decide.

The 25-year-old has made an impression during his time with the Italian giants, leading the club to a Serie A title in 2021 and two Coppa Italia trophies in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Martinez also helped the club reach the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.

Lautaro may have not performed as expected in the World Cup, but he still played a part in Argentina’s success. Besides, let’s remember that he was a key contributor on the road to Qatar.

In the aftermath of Roman Abramovich’s controversial ties with Vladimir Putin, the London team entered a new administration led by Todd Boehly but things haven’t gone according to plan so far.

The new owners firedThomas Tuchel early in the season, but Graham Potter couldn’t right the ship and now Frank Lampard is already in the hot seat despite being the interim manager. According to Havertz, firing Tuchel may have been a mistake.

Kai Havertz suggests Chelsea shouldn’t have firedTuchel

“Everything that can go wrong went wrong for us this year,”Havertz toldKiker, via SB Nation. “The season actually started relatively quietly. We had a change of ownership, which was a big change for the whole club. And then Thomas Tuchel was fired, which of course always makes a difference in a team like this when you’ve been successful with a coach and then gets fired out of nowhere.

“[A] good phase [followed under Graham Potter but after the World Cup] we didn’t play very well and lost a lot of points. [There were] a lot of new players over the winter who first have to feel comfortable in order to be able to call up their quality [and] now we have our backs to the wall and not very well in the table.”

Chelsea are by far the biggest disappointment of the season, since they spent millions but got no results whatsoever on the field. Maybe Havertz was right and the chaos started the day they fired Tuchel.

Still the German international has hit a hot streak scoring in Chelsea’s last three matches and cooling the waters of under-fire boss Graham Potter. Still looking to have a breakout year Havertz is hoping his latest run of form will elevate his stock at the club.

While the supporters might have a toxic relationship with their forward his teammates don’t and have given Kai Havertz a strange nickname that the German has embraced.

Chelsea players call Kai Havertz “Donkey”

Kai Havertz’s nickname at Chelsea is “Donkey”, yes like the animal in the Shrek films and the four-legged member of the horse family. Havertz has a major love for donkey’s and has mentioned that the animals give him “peace”.

“Some of my teammates call me Donkey. It’s not because of my football. From day one, I felt a special relationship with donkeys. It’s a very calm animal: maybe I personalized myself in them because I’m calm too.

“They chill all day, don’t do much, just want to live their life. I loved them always. When I lost, I would go to the sanctuary. You look at the animals, see something human in them. It was a kind of recovery, a place I felt peace” the talented German forward mentioned to The Sun.

Germany have a very complicated game against Spain. Die Mannschaft need a win to have their fate on their own hands, but the Spanish side is a very strong squad and they proved it with the 7-0 win over Costa Rica.

Hansi Flick, German coach, decided to change some thing in his initial squad. Kai Havertz didn’t appear in the starting 11 list and the striker will have to wait for an opportunity to come from the bench during the game.

Why is Kai Havertz not starting for Germany vs. Spain?

Germany’s debut in Qatar 2022 was not what they expected to be. Japan surprised everybody with a 2-1 win over Die Mannschaft, so this game against Spain is vital for their hopes in this tournament.

From that game against the Asian squad to this one, Hansi Flick changed a couple of players in his starting 11. One of those is Kai Havertz, Chelsea’s striker, who will see the game from the bench.

Fortunately,Havertz is not injured. This decision to sti him is only because Flick wants more players in te midfield and that’s why Leon Goretzka took his place in the starting 11.

It is expected that Havertz will have some minutes this game if Germany needs a striker. In the starting 11, Serge Gnabry appears as the only natural forward for the 2014 World Cup champions.

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Despite what on paper should have been a decent season, Chelsea was caught up in a bit of a firestorm with issues around unhappy players like Romelu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic, as well as the sale of the club after Román Abramóvich’s UK assets were frozen.

Matchday365 did a comparison with three players at Chelsea, all three have been under the microscope by fans during the season but one of the three, the most questioned, leads the stats category big time.

Christian Pulisic dominates the stats when compared to Kai Havertz and Timo Werner

Despite all the media and social media backlash when it comes to straight stats, Romelu Lukaku is the club’s leading goal scorer with 15 and Mason Mount leads with assists at 16. The three players we will focus on now, Havertz (13G/5A), Werner (11G/6A), and Pulisic (8G/4A), have complied these numbers for the season.

To the naked eye Havertz is the most productive of the three, but when taking a closer look, it’s the USMNT star player that is leading the stats when compared to minutes played on the field per 90 min.

Pulisic leads in goals and assists when compared to his time on the field to the other two. Pulisic leads in key passes, while Havertz leads in big chances created. Successful dribbles, Progressive carries, Progressive carry distance, duels won, and percentage of duels won are all led by Pulisic.

Despite playing as a role player and having missed some matches due to injury Pulisic has been extremely productive for Chelsea, when given the opportunity to showcase his talent. By no means do these stats suggest Pulisic is a better player over the other two, but it does suggest that the American does contribute when on the pitch.

Rumors have begun to swirl that Pulisic is on the radar at Juventus and his father did tweet recently that the USMNT player is upset with his lack of playing time at Chelsea. While showcasing a lot of talent and being clutch in some big matches, Pulisic has not been able to keep it consistent with Chelsea be it for dips in form overall or injuries.