Arsenal F.C. secured a crucial 1–1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night, thanks to a dramatic late penalty converted by Kai Havertz.
According to a report by Agence France‑Presse, Havertz struck in the 89th minute to deny the German side victory in a tightly contested encounter played in Leverkusen, Germany.
The hosts had taken the lead shortly after the restart when midfielder Robert Andrich powered home a header early in the second half to give Leverkusen the advantage. The goal appeared to have put the Bundesliga side on course for a first-leg victory before the late drama unfolded.
Arsenal, however, kept pressing in search of an equaliser and were handed a lifeline when winger Noni Madueke was brought down inside the penalty area late in the match. The referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Substitute Havertz, facing his former club, stepped up to take the responsibility and calmly converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to level the score and silence the home crowd.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg in London, with both teams still in contention for a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal will take confidence from the late comeback as they prepare to host Leverkusen in the decisive return fixture, where a victory for either side could determine who progresses to the next stage of Europe’s premier club competition.
