90’+4 – Full-time

The match ends at the BayArena! Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal finish 1-1 in an intense and thrilling first leg of the Round of 16. Robert Andrich gave the home side the lead early in the second half, but Kai Havertz equalized from the penalty in the final minutes. Both teams will head to the return leg to decide who advances to the quarterfinals.

Final Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

90’ – Final minutes

The match reaches 90 minutes with 3 added minutes. Bayer Leverkusen looks to hold their lead while Arsenal pushes hard to equalize in the final moments. The game remains tense, with either side capable of scoring in this closing stretch.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

89’ – Goal! Arsenal levels

Kai Havertz converts the penalty with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner, and Arsenal equalizes in the final minutes. Following Malik Tillman’s foul in the box, the Gunners secure an important point in Germany.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

86’ – Penalty for Arsenal

Malik Tillman of Bayer 04 Leverkusen commits a foul in the penalty area after an attacking move by Noni Madueke, and the referee awards a penalty to Arsenal. The Gunners now have a big chance to level the match in the final minutes.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

74’ – Substitutions for both teams

Arsenal makes their first change: Kai Havertz comes on for Viktor Gyökeres, adding more offensive creativity. Bayer 04 Leverkusen responds by replacing Ibrahim Maza with Malik Tillman, refreshing their attack to protect the lead.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

63’ – Yellow card for Exequiel Palacios

Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is booked with a yellow card for a foul on an Arsenal player. The match remains very physical, with referee Halil Umut Meler keeping a tight control over the play.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

58’ – Yellow card for Ernest Poku

Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Ernest Poku is shown a yellow card for a strong foul on an Arsenal player. Referee Halil Umut Meler keeps a tight grip on the match, and the Gunners look to capitalize offensively following the booking.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

46’ – Goal! Bayer Leverkusen takes the lead

Robert Andrich puts Bayer 04 Leverkusen ahead with a header from the left side of the six-yard box following a well-taken corner kick. What a start to the second half for the home side, catching Arsenal off guard!

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal

45’ – Second half kicks off

The second half begins at the BayArena! Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are back on the field, eager to break the deadlock. The match promises to continue with intensity, and tactical adjustments from both managers could prove decisive.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

45’+2 – Half-time

The first half ends at the BayArena. Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal go into the break scoreless after an intense opening 45 minutes, featuring several chances for both sides and a couple of yellow cards. Arsenal holds slightly more possession, but Leverkusen has threatened with quick counterattacks.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

26’ – Yellow card for Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli is shown a yellow card for a hard foul on a Bayer Leverkusen player. Referee Halil Umut Meler continues to keep a firm hand on the game.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

23’ – Match resumes

After treatment for Gabriel Magalhães, the match returns to action. Both teams are back on the field, ready to continue the high-intensity Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

21’ – Match paused for Gabriel Magalhães injury

The game is temporarily stopped due to an injury to Gabriel Magalhães of Arsenal. Players wait as the defender receives medical attention and the referee halts play.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

15’ – Maza misses

On a quick counterattack, Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the box after an assist from Christian Kofane, but the ball sails high and wide to the left, missing a promising chance.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

7’ – Kofane’s shot saved

Christian Kofane of Bayer Leverkusen fires a right-footed shot from outside the box following an assist from Martin Terrier, but David Raya stretches to save the ball at the top center of the goal, keeping the score level.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

2’ – Yellow card for Robert Andrich

Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Robert Andrich is shown a yellow card for a strong challenge on an Arsenal player in the early minutes. Referee Halil Umut Meler is keeping a tight grip on the match from the start.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

0’ – Kickoff

The Champions League Round of 16 first leg is underway! Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are battling it out at the BayArena, with the opening minutes full of intensity. The atmosphere is electric as home fans pack the stadium.

Score: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen Starting X

Arsenal Starting XI

Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal kick off a high-stakes Champions League tie

The UEFA Champions League starts with one of the most captivating Round of 16 matchups. From the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen will host Arsenal in the first leg of a tie that promises intensity, goals, and tactical battles.

The German side will try to leverage the home advantage to take an early lead ahead of the return match in London. The atmosphere in Leverkusen is electric, with thousands of fans ready to push their team against one of the most in-form clubs in Europe.

On the other side, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal arrives with tremendous confidence after dominating the group stage. The Gunners not only advanced as leaders but did so almost flawlessly, raising expectations across Europe.

Arsenal arrives as one of the top Champions League title contenders

Arsenal lands in Germany with stats that explain why many consider them favorites to lift the Champions League this season.

Arteta’s team had a perfect group stage:

• 8 wins in 8 matches
• 23 goals scored
• Only 4 goals conceded

This dominance included victories over elite European sides, proving the Gunners are no longer just contenders—they are genuine title challengers.

Arsenal’s tactical setup has been key: the defense led by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães provides solidity, while midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi control the game’s rhythm.

In attack, the speed and creativity of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been a nightmare for any defense. Saka, in particular, stands out as one of the most decisive players in the tournament due to his ability to generate goals and assists.

A Leverkusen side relying on home strength

Bayer Leverkusen’s path to the Round of 16 has been more challenging, but that unpredictability makes them dangerous.

The team, managed by Kasper Hjulmand, finished the group stage with mixed results and had to navigate the playoff round to secure their place. They advanced past Olympiacos thanks to a decisive 2-0 first-leg victory, which proved crucial.

Throughout the tournament, Leverkusen has shown two faces: moments of brilliance where they compete with Europe’s giants, but also heavy defeats highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.

However, the BayArena tells a different story. The German side remains difficult to break down at home, where their defensive stats are solid and their play aggressive.

Key player battles could decide the tie

Beyond tactics, individual matchups may determine the outcome.

For Leverkusen, C. Kofane stands out, a forward known for his efficiency in finishing and ability to exploit spaces in the box.

For Arsenal, attention turns again to Bukayo Saka, who has been one of the team’s most decisive players this season. His speed, vision, and precise passing make him a critical weapon.

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