7 key takeaways from Tuesday’s Champions League action: Arsenal snatch a last-gasp win, a shock for Bayern, Neuer in stunning form…

Arsenal pull off a last-gasp comeback, Bayern prove too strong for Real, Neuer almost unbeatable… Check out the highlights from Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg matches.

Tuesday’s results: Sporting Portugal 0-1 Arsenal, Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich.

1. Arsenal bounce back

After losing to Manchester City (0-2) in the League Cup final and then to Southampton (1-2) in the FA Cup, Arsenal bounced back by beating Sporting Portugal (1-0) in the dying seconds of the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The Portuguese side started strongly, with Pedro Gonçalves rattling Raya’s crossbar, but the English side gradually established their dominance. Noni Madueke also hit the woodwork from a direct corner in a first half that was rather short on chances.

The pattern remained unchanged after the break: the Gunners were in control but sorely lacking in attacking flair, with the exception of a move that led to a disallowed goal by Martin Zubimendi. David Raya even had to be alert to keep his side in the game… However, in the very last move of the match, following a sublime through ball from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz secured victory for Arsenal (0-1, 90+1)! The Gunners are back on track and head into the second leg in a favourable position, ahead of next Wednesday’s return fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

2. Bayern off to a flying start

Bayern Munich have taken the lead in this top-of-the-table clash in European football. At the end of an entertaining and fast-paced match, the German league leaders secured a 2-1 away win at Real Madrid thanks to a goal from Luis Díaz (41′) late in the first half and a clinical strike from Harry Kane (46′) early in the second. Kylian Mbappé (74′) eventually beat a phenomenal Manuel Neuer just before the final quarter of an hour. There were chances at both ends, but Bayern, the stronger side overall, proved more clinical. The return leg takes place next Wednesday at the Allianz Arena. To read the match report and player ratings, click here.

3. Neuer, 40 and still impressive

It would be a shame if Manuel Neuer were to end his career when his contract expires in less than three months. At 40, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper once again impressed during his side’s wobbly spell against Real Madrid. Decisive in a one-on-one with Kylian Mbappé, then on a cross-shot from the Frenchman, the 2014 World Cup winner also flew across goal to save a curling shot from Vinicius Junior in the first half. In the second half, the German produced another masterful save, making a firm one-handed stop against Mbappé, before nearly coming to the rescue again when the former Parisian narrowed the deficit. Impressive: the wall remains unbroken. A fine 8/10 rating to boot in the Maxifoot review.

4. Bayern missed big chances before the breakthrough

Before taking the lead against Real Madrid through Luis Diaz just before half-time, Bayern Munich created huge opportunities to punish Los Merengues. Dayot Upamecano, in particular, completely missed the target with the final touch from a Harry Kane pass, whilst Serge Gnabry also failed to score, finding himself one-on-one with Andriy Lunin after intercepting a misplaced back-pass from Thiago Pitarch. The Munich side ultimately did not have too many regrets about this lack of clinical finishing.

5. Tchouaméni suspended for the second leg

Real Madrid are already facing a major absence for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich next Wednesday. After picking up a booking on Tuesday for a foul in the first half, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be suspended following an accumulation of yellow cards. This presents an opportunity for Jude Bellingham, who is gradually returning from injury.

6. Mbappé, France’s fifth-most capped player in the Champions League

Starting against Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappé has already entered the top five of France’s most capped players in the Champions League. The Real Madrid forward played the 97th Champions League match of his career, allowing him to overtake Claude Makélélé (96). The former Monaco player is expected to quickly catch up with Patrice Evra (108), Thierry Henry (112) and Antoine Griezmann (116), whilst Karim Benzema (152) still holds a significant lead at the top of the rankings.

7. Olise, record assist provider

After putting in a strong performance and providing the decisive assist for Harry Kane’s goal against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has now registered his 25th assist of the season. According to the Stats du Foot account on social media platform X, he has become the first French player to provide so many assists in a single season for a club in Europe’s top five leagues in the 21st century, ahead of Franck Ribéry, who provided 24 assists in 2011–2012, also with Bayern. A massive impact.