Bayern Munich seized control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Arsenal left it even later to secure a 1-0 win at Sporting CP on a dramatic night of first-leg action on Tuesday.

In Madrid, Bayern earned a slender but significant advantage after a high-tempo contest, with Manuel Neuer producing a standout performance between the posts.

Vincent Kompany’s side struck just before halftime when Serge Gnabry threaded a precise pass through for Luis Diaz, who beat the offside trap and fired low past Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute.

Bayern doubled their lead moments after the restart as Michael Olise squared for Harry Kane to finish calmly from the edge of the box following a swift counter-attack — his 49th goal of the season and 11th in the competition.

Real improved after the hour and Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, turning in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross. But despite sustained pressure, Neuer denied Mbappe and Vinicius Junior repeatedly as the hosts searched for an equaliser that never came.

“We conceded two goals that were gifts,” said Real defender Antonio Rudiger. “Bayern’s best player today was Neuer.”

In Lisbon, Arsenal relied on a late intervention from Kai Havertz to edge a tight tactical encounter against Sporting.

The substitute struck in stoppage time, calmly finishing after being picked out unmarked by Gabriel Martinelli, giving Mikel Arteta’s side a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.

The match had earlier been finely balanced, with both sides hitting the woodwork — Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke coming closest in a cagey first half.

Arsenal thought they had broken the deadlock just after the hour when Martin Zubimendi curled home, only for the effort to be ruled out following a VAR review involving Viktor Gyokeres.

As Sporting pushed late on, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced several key saves — including a diving stop to deny Geny Catamo — earning Player of the Match honours.

“Everybody has to make an impact at this stage of the season,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “In the end, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game.”

The breakthrough finally came in added time when Sporting’s defence switched off, allowing Havertz the space to control and finish clinically.

Both ties remain finely poised ahead of the second legs, with Bayern set to defend their narrow advantage in Germany, while Arsenal return to London with momentum after a hard-fought win.

The winners will progress to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool, and Barcelona or Atletico Madrid respectively in the semi-finals.