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Arsenal book UCL Last 8 spot after penalties

Arsenal advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after defeating FC Porto on penalties on Tuesday night.

The Gunners manager Mikel Arteta made only one change from the narrow win over Brentford in the Premier League, as shot-stopper David Raya returned after he was barred against his parent club.

Porto veteran defender Pepe became the oldest outfield player aged 41 or older to feature in a UEFA Champions League game.

The English giants found a lot of resistance from the visitors in the early stages, who were waiting to pounce on counter-attacks, as on 25 minutes Evanilson almost broke the deadlock with a strike from a cut-back that produced a reflex save from Raya.

With the game largely on the edge, Leandro Trossard eventually broke the deadlock for Arsenal just before the interval and levelled matters on aggregate with a clinical finish after he cut inside the box.

The early stages of the second stanza remained cagey and Arteta's men thought they were ahead on 68 minutes after Martin Odegaard lifted a shot over shot-stopper Diogo Costa but the goal was chalked off after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review for a foul in the build-up.

Arsenal were more dangerous in the dying minutes after they brought on Gabriel Jesus in place of Jorginho in a tactical change, however, numerous chances were smothered by Costa and the game eventually went to extra-time after a 1-1 draw on aggregate.

The Gunners could not carry their momentum into extra-time as neither side could have shots at goal until in the last few minutes of the first period of extra-time.

Porto had a stronger resistance in the second period of extra-time, as the game became tighter and with chances few and far between, the game ultimately headed to penalty shootouts.

Arsenal won 4-2 on penalties after Raya saved Galeno's decisive spot-kick.

Barcelona 3-1 Napoli

Barcelona booked their spot in the quarter-finals after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Napoli following a 3-1 win in the last 16 second-leg at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Barcelona were boosted by the return of Robert Lewandowski, alongside Fermin Lopez and Ronald Araujo, as three changes from their win over Mallorca in LaLiga.

Fermin gave Barca the lead on 15 minutes and a 2-1 lead also on aggregate with a strike after he was left unmarked in the box from Raphinha's cross.

Xavi's charges quickly went 2-0 up two minutes later and 3-1 ahead on aggregate courtesy of Joao Cancelo's first-time finish after he was picked out by Raphinha from a counter-attack.

Amir Rrahmani eventually reduced the deficit to 2-1 and 3-2 on aggregate for Napoli after he also slotted a shot unmarked in the box from a cross by Matteo Politano.

Blaugrana started the second stanza positively and they thought they finally had a goal on 68 minutes after Lamine Yamal scrambled a shot home from close range but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Barca continued to pressurize Napoli, who were kept in the game by the brilliance of goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Xavi threw in the fresh legs of Joao Felix in the last ten minutes in place of Raphinha.

Lewandowski eventually sealed a spot in the quarter-finals for Blaugrana seven minutes before time after he made it 3-1 and 4-2 on aggregate with a tap-in from a square pass by Sergi Roberto.

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