Sporting 3-0 Bodø/Glimt (agg: 3-3)
Another Sporting corner is only half cleared. The ball drops to Nuno Santos again, but this time he has no chance to shoot. Instead, he drifts wide left and crosses, finding the head of Morten Hjulmand, who directs a weak header straight at the keeper. There are three minutes plus stoppages remaining before extra time and possibly penalties.
This match has been played predominantly in Bodø/Glimt’s final third for most of the second half, with the pressure intensifying. A corner is half-cleared and Nuno Santos meets it by the left-hand side of the D, delivering a precise low shot that hits the base of the right-hand post. Nikita Haikin is beaten but the rebound falls to Geny Catamo, who shoots over from 12 yards. The intensity is high.
Sporting’s momentum is evident. Luis Suárez threads a shot towards the bottom left from a tight angle, followed by Francisco Trincão unleashing a rising drive from 25 yards, which Nikita Haikin tips over acrobatically. With nine minutes remaining, the Norwegian underdogs, favored by many for their romantic underdog status, are eager for the final whistle to regroup before extra time. However, it remains uncertain if they will get that chance.
GOAL! Sporting 3-0 Bodø/Glimt (Suárez 78); agg: 3-3
Luis Suárez converts a low penalty to the left, having sent Nikita Haikin the wrong way. Sporting have leveled the aggregate score, leaving Bodø/Glimt frustrated. They must quickly clear their heads as Sporting’s confidence surges.
Sporting 2-0 Bodø/Glimt (agg: 2-3)
VAR intervenes as the referee reviews a potential penalty. He determines that Fredrik André Bjørkan’s arm was in an unnatural position, away from his body, and awards the penalty.
The penalty decision follows a significant appeal when Iván Fresneda delivers a cross from the right that strikes Bjørkan’s hand. Although Bjørkan’s arm was extended, the proximity to the ball was considered, but ultimately the penalty is given.
Rain is pouring heavily in Lisbon, contributing to fast-paced play directed towards the Bodø/Glimt goal. Sporting have dominated possession, holding 75 percent in the last five minutes, while the Norwegians are under considerable pressure.
Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal make two changes to their starting lineup in Leverkusen. Ben White replaces the injured Jurriën Timber at right-back, and Leandro Trossard comes in for the benched Gabriel Martinelli. Kasper Hjulmand names an unchanged starting XI for Bayer Leverkusen.
GOAL! Sporting 2-0 Bodø/Glimt (Gonçalves 61); agg: 2-3
The comeback is underway. Geny Catamo delivers a precise ball down the right wing to Luis Suárez, who sends a low cross into the box. Pedro Gonçalves, advancing through the inside-left channel, strikes a powerful shot from 12 yards to score. The move was a well-executed sweeping attack.
Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea make three changes following their 5-2 defeat in Paris last week. Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr, and Jorrel Hato start, with Wesley Fofana on the bench due to Malo Gusto’s illness and Reece James’ hamstring injury. PSG make one change, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia replacing Desire Doue, who is on the bench.
Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen Teams
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Mosquera, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
Bayer Leverkusen: Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Terrier, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo, Maza, Poku, Kofane.
Subs: Omlin, Lomb, Fernandez, Hofmann, Tillman, Schick, Oermann, Tape, Culbreath.
Sporting 1-0 Bodø/Glimt (agg: 1-3)
The Norwegian underdogs appear sharper in the second half, enjoying more possession than the 37 percent they held in the first half and pushing more players forward. A goal would reset Sporting’s challenge and likely end their hopes. Sondre Brunstad Fet attempts a shot towards the bottom left, but Rui Silva is well-positioned to save.
Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain Teams
Chelsea: Sanchez, Hato, Sarr, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Santos, Palmer, Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Merrick, Adarabioyo, Delap, Fofana, Acheampong, Guiu, Estevao, Lavia, Garnacho, Mheuka, Kavuma-McQueen.
Paris Saint-Germain: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaire Emery, Vitinha, Neves, Dembele, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia.
Subs: Chevalier, Marin, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Doue, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Fernandez, Mbaye.
Sporting 1-0 Bodø/Glimt (agg: 1-3)
Early in the second half, Sporting suffer a setback as Morten Hjulmand receives a booking for cynically pulling back Ole Didrik Blomberg. This means the Sporting captain would miss the first leg of the quarter-final if the comeback is completed.
HALF TIME: Sporting 1-0 Bodø/Glimt (agg: 1-3)
The first half in Lisbon concludes with Sporting having made a third of the way back towards parity. Gonçalo Inácio scored with a header from a right-wing corner on 34 minutes. Sporting should have been leading earlier, as Francisco Trincão missed a header from close range and a one-on-one chance against Bodø/Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin. The Norwegians had two near chances themselves: Patrick Berg missed a shot wide after a swift counterattack, and Odin Bjørtuft’s header hit the crossbar multiple times before going away. The game has been open and entertaining, and the second half promises to be tense.
Sporting v Bodø/Glimt Teams
Sporting: Rui Silva, Fresneda, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo, Hjulmand, Morita, Catamo, Trincao, Pedro Goncalves, Suarez.
Subs: Virginia, Callai, Debast, Nuno Santos, Vagiannidis, Faye, Braganca, Simoes, Couto, Nel, Diomande, Flavio Goncalves.
Bodø/Glimt: Haikin, Sjovold, Bjortuft, Gundersen, Bjorkan, Evjen, Berg, Fet, Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge.
Subs: Lund, Nielsen, Aleesami, Auklend, Saltnes, Helmersen, Klynge, Riisnaes, Bassi, Maatta, Mikkelsen, Sjong.
Evening Fixtures Overview
Arsenal and Chelsea both face crucial matches at 8pm GMT. Arsenal appear to have a stronger chance of reaching the quarter-finals compared to Chelsea. However, history shows teams have overturned three-goal deficits before, such as Deportivo La Coruña against Milan in 2004, Roma versus Barcelona in 2018, and Andy Robertson’s notable moment against Lionel Messi in 2019. Therefore, no outcome can be ruled out.
Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen (agg 1-1)
Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain (agg 2-5)
There is also an earlier kick-off featuring Sporting versus Bodø/Glimt (agg 0-3), where the possibility of a three-goal comeback remains alive. Coverage of that match is underway.
