Arsenal won the match 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal by Kai Havertz, ending a two-game losing streak for the London club. Viktor Gyokeres returned to Sporting Lisbon's stadium as an Arsenal player for a Champions League quarter-final first leg match, but he did not score and had a quiet performance. According to Fotbollskanalen, Kai Havertz described the match as fairly open but said Arsenal mostly controlled it well and can be proud of their performance.
Gyokeres was booed by Sporting fans during the match when he touched the ball, yet he was also applauded by some Sporting fans when he arrived at the stadium and when Arsenal entered the pitch. A poll by Maisfutebol suggests 53% of respondents believe Gyokeres will be welcomed with applause, indicating divided sentiments among the fanbase. How Sporting fans will react to Gyokeres in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium remains uncertain, as does the extent of any lingering resentment towards him for his departure.
I love you all.
Gyokeres' quiet performance included key moments that shaped the match. An Arsenal goal by Martin Zubimendi was disallowed in the 63rd minute due to Gyokeres being offside. Sporting hit the crossbar in the 7th minute through Maxi Araujo, and Arsenal's Noni Madueke hit the crossbar in the 14th minute. These near-misses highlighted the tight nature of the contest, with Gyokeres struggling to make an impact against his former team.
Gyokeres left Sporting for Arsenal in the summer of 2024 in a transfer worth up to £63.7 million (approximately €74 million), according to major media reports. He scored 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting, as reported by multiple sources, and pushed for the transfer by not reporting for pre-season, missing training sessions, and refusing to return to Lisbon until the deal was finalized, according to major media. According to BBC Sport, Ricardo Sa Pinto described Gyokeres as one of the best deals in Sporting's history, underscoring his legacy at the club. The detailed financial terms of Gyokeres' transfer, including add-ons and sell-on clauses, have not been disclosed.
He was one of the best, if not the best, deals in their history.
Reactions from Sporting figures to Gyokeres' departure and return have been mixed. Sporting manager Rui Borges believes Gyokeres will be welcomed by everyone at Sporting because he marked the club's history. According to Fotbollskanalen, Rui Borges described Gyokeres as someone the club cherishes and likes, noting it will always be nice to meet him because of his contributions. Sporting player Maxi Araujo says the team was happy for Gyokeres' departure and wishes him the best, according to his statements. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Maxi Araujo described the group as happy for Gyokeres, acknowledging he did something incredible for Sporting and deserved his move.
Sporting's recent success and financial stability provide context for this high-stakes match. Sporting have reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in the Champions League era, according to major media reports. They have won the Portuguese league three times in the past five seasons, and have posted a profit for four consecutive seasons, totaling €82.3 million, as reported by major media. This backdrop of achievement made the clash with Arsenal a significant milestone for the Portuguese side, even as they fell to a late defeat.
It was sad. But there was nothing I could have done differently. It wasn't something I could control.
He should still be welcomed with a huge ovation and real gratitude from all of us. Of course, departures are always complicated.
I believe in the initial stage he had to adapt, given the style of play, and how Arsenal plays. But he is still a great forward and now he is back to what he does well which is scoring goals.
He is a great player, and I am sure he will be welcomed by everyone because he marked the history of Sporting, and he deserves this acknowledgement.
The group and I were happy for him, he deserved it. He did something incredible for Sporting. Personally, and I think the whole group was happy for his departure. I wish him the best.
It will always be nice to meet Viktor because he has done so much for the club, given us so much. It is someone we cherish and like.
It was a fairly open match, but I think we mostly controlled it quite well. But football is decided by moments like these. Overall, I think we played a very good match and can be proud of ourselves.