MADRID/LISBON: Bayern Munich and Arsenal both have one foot in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after winning away to Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon respectively.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern won 2-1 in the Estadio Bernabeu after striking first, just before halftime, when Serge Gnabry set up Luis Diaz to beat the offside trap and shoot low past keeper Andriy Lunin.
Bayern doubled their lead seconds after the restart as Michael Olise squared for Harry Kane to finish from the edge of the box following a swift counter-attack.
Madrid improved after the hour and Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, turning in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross at the far post.
Manuel Neuer then denied Mbappe and Vinicius Jr with a series of sharp saves as the hosts pressed for an equaliser in vain.
The other tie in Iberia saw Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz score a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win against Sporting after being sent clear by Gabriel Martinelli.
After a first half in which Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke struck the posts, the Gunners had a Martin Zubimendi effort disallowed before David keeper David Raya produced several late saves to deny the home side.
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