Last-gasp Havertz spot kick earns Arsenal a share of the spoils in Leverkusen

Kai Havertz, Arsenal's German midfielder, scored a crucial penalty in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw for his team against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg on March 11, 2026.

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The match, played in Leverkusen, western Germany, saw Arsenal fall behind after Robert Andrich headed in a simple corner just moments after half-time, but Havertz's late penalty ensured the Premier League leaders escaped with a draw.

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Arsenal, who had won all eight of their games in the league phase, lacked their usual fluency and struggled to make an impact with their set pieces, despite having several dangerous free-kicks throughout the game.

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However, with the draw, Arsenal now need only to win at home next week to reach the quarter-finals for a third consecutive season, a feat that seems achievable given their current form.

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Leverkusen, on the other hand, have been inconsistent this campaign, but their performance against Arsenal suggests they could still pose a threat to the Gunners at the Emirates next week.

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The first half of the game was marked by tentativeness from both sides, with Leverkusen wary of Arsenal's attacking prowess and the Gunners being more cautious than usual, likely with an eye on the return leg at home.

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Arsenal had two early free-kicks near the hosts' box, but both failed to yield any results, while Leverkusen's teenage forward Christian Kofane proved to be a danger on the break.

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The best chance of the opening period fell to Gabriel Martinelli, who blasted a shot against the crossbar with 19 minutes gone, a missed opportunity that would later prove costly for the Gunners.

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After half-time, Leverkusen turned up the pressure and were rewarded with a goal within a minute, as Martin Terrier forced an excellent save from David Raya, and the ensuing corner led to Andrich's simple header.

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Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand, who had questioned the legality of Arsenal's dead-ball tactics pre-match, got into a heated exchange with Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after the goal.

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Arsenal's first corner of the game came on the hour mark and was greeted with a huge cheer from the 2,100-strong travelling contingent, but it was not until the 89th minute that the Gunners were handed a lifeline.

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Substitute Malik Tillman was adjudged to have fouled Noni Madueke in the box, and Havertz, who had been greeted with warm applause when subbed on, nervelessly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to secure the draw.

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Havertz's celebration was muted, given that he was playing against his first professional club, but the goal was a crucial one for Arsenal, who will now look to capitalize on the draw in the return leg next week.