
UEFA Champions League
5:45 p.mMarch 11, 2026
Round of 16
BayArena
Referee: Halil Umut Meler, Turkey


Bayer Leverkusen


arsenal
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.88
Expected Goals (xG)
1.65
Passing by
387 (88%)
Accurate passes
456 (87%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
Substitutes
m
Malik Tillman
m
Ezequiel Fernandez
m
Jonas Hofmann
18
G
Jonas Omlin
36
G
Niklas Lomb
16
d
Tape Axel
15
d
Tim Oermann
42
m
Montrell Culbreath
14
F
Patrik Schick
1
G
David Raya
6.3
5
d
Piero Hincapié
5.9
6
d
Gabriel Magalhães
7.3
2
d
Guillem Saliba
6.3
12
d
The Jury of the Wood
6.3
41
m
Rice Declan
6.9
m
Martin Zubimendi
m
Gabriel Martinelli
10
m
god bless you
6.6
7
m
Bukayo Saka (C)
6.2
14
F
Viktor Gyökeres
6.5
Substitutes
56
m
Max Dowman
16
m
Christian Nørgaard
89
d
Marli Salmon
49
d
Myles Lewis-Skelly
33
d
Riccardo Calafiori
4
d
Ben White
3
d
Christian Mosquera
79
G
Khary Ranson
13
G
Kepa Arrizabalaga
F
Gabriel Jesus
F
Kai Havertz
89′
Unsportsmanlike conduct
F
You Maduek

UEFA Champions League Ranking – UEFA Champions League
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Off: Round of 16)
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Off: Round of 16)
Kai Havertz’s late penalty earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on Wednesday night. Robert Andrich had earlier given the hosts a second-half lead in a UEFA Champions League knockout tie.
Arsenal arrived in Germany in formidable form, having dominated their Champions League group with a perfect record. Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen put up a stern challenge, aiming to take advantage of their impressive home support in this last 16 first leg.
The game quickly ignited, with Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich yellow carded for an early foul in the 2nd minute. This set the tone for a physically intense opening period.
Arsenal tried to assert their control, enjoying more possession and dictating the tempo. However, Leverkusen’s disciplined defense stifled their attacking efforts, limiting space in dangerous areas.
The Gunners’ Gabriel Martinelli was also booked in the referee’s book on 26 minutes. Despite the promising build-up play, neither team managed a shot on target, and it was goalless at the break.
At the break, both teams understood the need to increase their attacking thrust. The managers probably emphasized precision and decisiveness in the final third to break the tie.
Leverkusen came out of the blocks in the second half and stunned Arsenal almost immediately. Robert Andrich scored in the 46th minute, with a good assist from Alejandro Grimaldo to put the hosts ahead 1-0.
The goal injected a renewed urgency into Arsenal’s game. Mikel Arteta responded with tactical changes, bringing on Noni Madueke for Bukayo Saka in the 60th minute, looking for more penetration.
Leverkusen continued their aggressive approach, with Exequiel Palacios receiving a yellow card in the 63rd minute, adding to their disciplinary record. The BayArena crowd roared, keeping the intensity high.
Arsenal pressed harder for an equalizer and brought on Kai Havertz for Viktor Gyökeres in the 74th minute. Having returned to Germany, Havertz immediately made his presence felt in the attacking third.
His persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Havertz was fouled inside the box and won a penalty. He stepped up with confidence and converted, calmly slotting the ball past Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to level the scores at 1-1.
Arsenal had 55% of the ball and generated an expected goals (xG) of 1.65 from their 6 total shots, with 2 on target. Leverkusen, with 45% possession, took 10 shots in total, 3 on target, for an xG of 0.88, demonstrating their efficiency.
The 1-1 draw leaves the UEFA Champions League last 16 perfectly set for the second leg in London. Arsenal will welcome the advantage of the former, but Leverkusen showed enough fight to keep the tie open.

