UEFA Champions League: Odegaard Scores Winner, Havertz Goal Disallowed as Arsenal Beat Napoli 1-0

At 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on September 10, Arsenal traveled away to face Napoli in the first round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Arsenal had the advantage in the first half but failed to change the score, with both sides level at 0-0 at halftime. In the second half, Tzolis assisted Odegaard for Arsenal's key goal, while Havertz's goal was ruled out. Arsenal eventually defeated Napoli 1-0.

In the 8th minute, Eze received the ball outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball went over the bar under pressure. In the 12th minute, Gyokeres delivered a cross with the outside of his foot, and Saka's bicycle kick inside the box was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 15th minute, De Bruyne's long-range effort from the edge of the penalty area caused Raya to spill the ball, but he secured it afterward.

In the 22nd minute, Saka sent a diagonal pass into the box, Eze headed the ball across, and Merino's close-range header was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 28th minute, Eze cut inside from the left and shot, but the ball went narrowly wide. In the 32nd minute, Kiwior's(?) left-side cross flew directly toward goal, and Meret dealt with it.

In the 39th minute, Saka received a cutback outside the penalty area and fired a long-range shot over the bar. In the 42nd minute, Gilmour brought down Eze while defending and received a yellow card. In the 45th minute, Arsenal missed a great chance as Saka received Odegaard's through ball and formed a one-on-one opportunity, but his shot went over.

The first half ended with both teams temporarily level at 0-0.

At the start of the second half, Napoli made a goalkeeper change, with Vanja replacing Meret. In the 50th minute, Arsenal missed another opportunity as Odegaard chipped the ball forward, Ben White headed it across, and Kiwior fired over from close range. In the 62nd minute, Rice took a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but it went over again.

In the 65th minute, Arsenal made substitutions, bringing on Tzolis and Guimaraes for Merino and Eze. In the 71st minute, Ben White laid the ball off, Rice crossed to the far post, and Gyokeres headed over. In the 73rd minute, Arsenal made two more changes, with Havertz and Madueke replacing Gyokeres and Saka.

In the 75th minute, Arsenal broke the deadlock! Tzolis laid the ball back while facing away from goal, and Odegaard struck a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball hit the post and went in as Arsenal took a 1-0 lead.

In the 85th minute, Arsenal missed a chance to extend their lead. Havertz set up Madueke, who went through one-on-one, but his shot was saved by Vanja, and Tzolis' follow-up effort was also cleared. In the 89th minute, De Bruyne faced Raya on the left side of the penalty area and chose to pass, but no teammate was available.

In the 92nd minute, Tzolis' shot was saved and Havertz scored from the rebound, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, and the goal was disallowed.

In the end, Arsenal defeated Napoli 1-0.

Starting lineups

Napoli: 1-Meret (46th minute 32-Vanja), 22-Di Lorenzo, 13-Rrahmani, 16-Marin, 17-Oliveira, 6-Gilmour, 68-Lobotka (76th minute 20-Lucca), 11-De Bruyne, 21-Politano (57th minute 2-Favasuli), 27-Alisson Santos (57th minute 26-Vergara), 19-Hojlund (76th minute 7-Neres)

Arsenal: 1-David Raya, 4-Ben White (82nd minute 36-Zubimendi), 15-Konsa, 6-Gabriel, 5-Kiwior, 41-Rice, 8-Odegaard, 23-Merino (65th minute 39-Guimaraes), 10-Eze (65th minute 17-Tzolis), 7-Saka (73rd minute 20-Madueke), 14-Gyokeres (73rd minute 29-Havertz)

(Sohu Sports original: Kola)