Sporting CP head coach Rui Borges has identified Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as the deciding factor in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Despite a dramatic 91st-minute winner by Kai Havertz, Borges maintained that the Spanish shot-stopper was the true standout performer at the José Alvalade Stadium.
Raya, who returned to the starting lineup after being rested in recent domestic cup fixtures, produced five critical saves to keep a clean sheet. His performance earned him the official UEFA Player of the Match award and high praise from both managers.
Borges cites Raya’s ‘superb saves’ as the difference
During his post-match analysis with Prime Video, Rui Borges was candid about why his side failed to secure a result despite an “equal” performance. He noted that Sporting had several clear-cut opportunities that were thwarted solely by Raya’s reflexes.
“Yes, I’d say David Raya was the best player on the pitch tonight because we had some really, really good chances to score, but he made some superb saves. On the other end, our keeper Rui Silva was not overly troubled, and it was a pretty equal game.”
One of the most notable interventions came in the 83rd minute, when Raya reacted brilliantly to deny an improvised finish from Geny Catamo, before smothering a follow-up from Luis Suarez.
Havertz and Arteta join the praise
While Kai Havertz grabbed the headlines with his left-footed finish from a Gabriel Martinelli through ball, even he admitted the importance of his goalkeeper. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the whistle, Havertz suggested that Raya remains “underestimated” globally, calling him the best keeper in the world over the last two seasons.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was equally effusive in his praise, describing Raya’s performance as:
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Extraordinary
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Magnificent
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Incredible
Arteta noted that the victory was a significant “identity” moment for the club, especially following back-to-back domestic losses that had threatened their season’s momentum.
Statistical dominance in Lisbon
The numbers from the first leg underline why Borges felt his side was hard done by. David Raya’s influence extended beyond just stopping shots; his distribution and command of the box provided the foundation for Arsenal’s late victory.
David Raya Match Stats vs Sporting CP
| Category | Statistic |
| Total Saves | 5 (All from inside the box) |
| Goals Prevented Metric | 1.57 |
| Pass Completion | 93% (26 of 28 passes) |
| Clean Sheets (Season) | 22 (Across 41 matches) |
Raya’s 22 clean sheets so far this season are currently four greater than any other goalkeeper across Europe’s top five leagues.
Looking ahead to the second leg
Arsenal now takes a slender 1-0 lead back to the Emirates Stadium for the return leg next week. The Gunners are aiming to reach their second-successive Champions League semi-final—a feat the club has never achieved before.
Following the win in Lisbon, Raya expressed total confidence in the squad, stating they believe “100 per cent” that they can go on to win the competition for the first time in Arsenal’s history. Before the European decider, Arsenal will host Bournemouth in the Premier League this Saturday, while Sporting travels to Estrela da Amadora.
