Arsenal 2-0 Leverkusen (Mar 17, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN Skip to main content Skip to navigation ESPN NFL NFL NBA NBA NCAAM NCAAM NCAAW NCAAW MLB MLB NHL NHL Soccer Soccer More Sports More Sports Watch Watch Fantasy Fantasy Where to Watch Search Arsenal v Leverkusen 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 Arsenal Arsenal ARS 2 FT Agg. 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen Leverkusen B04 0 Eberechi Eze – 36' Declan Rice – 63' 2nd Leg – Arsenal advance 3-1 on aggregate Summary Report Commentary Statistics Line-Ups Eze stunner seals Arsenal spot in Champions League quarters By PA Updated: Mar 17, 2026, 06:08 pm Facebook Facebook Messenger Twitter Email Eberechi Eze scored a stunning first Champions League goal as Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on Tuesday at the Emirates to march into the quarterfinals. Eze opened his European account with a spectacular 20-yard thunderbolt before Declan Rice added a classy second to seal a 3-1 aggregate success. Arsenal had found Leverkusen tricky opponents in Germany last week, needing a last-gasp Kai Havertz penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw. But they were totally dominant and there was nothing “ugly” or “boring” about this win for the critics to moan about, either. Mikel Arteta’s side swaggered their way into the last eight for the third successive year and, with Sporting Lisbon the opposition, they will fancy their chances of reaching another semi-final at least. Moreover, with a nine-point lead in the Premier League , a Carabao Cup final meeting with Manchester City on Sunday and an FA Cup quarterfinal at Championship Southampton to come, an unprecedented quadruple is edging tantalisingly closer as the weeks go by. With 16-year-old Dowman among the substitutes again, Leandro Trossard was back in the starting lineup after a hip injury. Arsenal players celebrate after scoring a goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Getty Images The Belgian had the Gunners’ first real chance after he was teed up by Bukayo Saka 20 yards out, curling his shot towards the top corner and forcing a flying save from Janis Blaswich . Moments later, a Saka corner found the familiar head of Gabriel Magalhães , but the defender nodded the ball just over the crossbar. Blaswich had to parry a free-kick from Rice and an angled drive from Saka, before the busy Leverkusen goalkeeper made a superb reflex save from Trossard. When Saka took another corner short, Blaswich kept out Trossard’s shot and then denied Ben White from the rebound. The dam finally burst 10 minutes before half-time, and it was well worth the wait. Eze, on the edge of the box, took one touch with his left foot to control Trossard’s pass, swivelled and launched a rocket with his right past Blaswich and into the top corner. After the break Piero Hincapié — against the club from whom he is still on loan — and Viktor Gyökeres went close to doubling the lead. However, it was Rice who put the tie to bed just after the hour mark, latching on to a weak clearance, striding forward and stroking the ball home from the edge of the area. Even when Leverkusen threatened late on, David Raya pulled off a fine save to deny Christian Kofane a consolation as the Gunners completed a statement win. Game Information Emirates Stadium 4:00 PM , March 17, 2026 Coverage : Paramount+ London , England Attendance : 57,537 Referees : Danny Makkelie UEFA Champions League News Madrid deal latest blow to Guardiola's Champions League legacy For the third straight year, Manchester City were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid, underscoring the biggest blot on Pep Guardiola's record. Madrid's Vinícius says crying celebration aimed at City fans Vinícius Júnior said his “crying” celebration after scoring in Real Madrid's 2-1 win at Manchester City on Tuesday was a response to last season's “stop crying your heart out” banner from City fans. Arsenal unflappable in Champions League, a stark contrast to Premier League counterparts Arsenal should feel the pressure as Premier League leaders. Instead, they look comfortable as a quadruple of trophies is in their sights. All UEFA Champions League News Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads EU Privacy Rights Cookie Policy Manage Privacy Preferences © ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
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