Andrich Questions Late Arsenal Penalty After Leverkusen Draw In Champions League Last-16

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Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 first leg after a late penalty from Kai Havertz cancelled out Robert Andrich’s header, leaving both sides level ahead of the return match at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2026.

Andrich opened the scoring early in the second half with a close-range header, but Arsenal equalised when Malik Tillman was penalised for a late challenge on Noni Madueke, allowing former Leverkusen player Havertz to score from the spot in the 89th minute.

Havertz’s penalty, officially clocked at 88 minutes and 33 seconds, was Arsenal’s latest spot-kick goal in a major European game since March 2010, yet Andrich felt the award should have been cancelled after the video assistant referee reviewed referee Umut Meler’s decision.

Andrich voiced strong disagreement with the call, telling DAZN: "That's really, really not enough [to be a penalty]," said Andrich toDAZN, despite the VARnot overturning Umut Meler's decision. The midfielder left the pitch convinced the contact with Madueke did not justify such a decisive intervention.

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Leverkusen’s record at this stage remains mixed. The team avoided defeat in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie for only the second time, with an overall record in such openers now showing one win, one draw and five defeats in this round.

Despite that history, Leverkusen have failed to advance from each of the previous six last-16 campaigns when reaching this point, yet Andrich insisted the squad still sees a chance to trouble Mikel Arteta’s side when the teams meet again in London.

Speaking to UEFA’s official website, Andrich said: "I'm leaving this match with mixed feelings, he told UEFA's official website.On the one hand, we played well. On the other hand, we should have won. Now they'll be under less pressure in the second leg. Of course, I would have liked things to have turned out differently. But we still believe we can spring a surprise."

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand backed that view and also questioned the outcome after Leverkusen limited Arsenal’s attacking threat for long spells, believing the performance across ninety minutes showed the Bundesliga club could compete with a leading Premier League opponent.

Hjulmand told UEFA: "I have mixed emotions, as we played well and didn’t concede many chances, he told UEFA.We were active and played well with the ball. It was a top performance against a top team. Of course, it's very frustrating that we only drew 1-1. We're now travelling to London with high hopes. Arsenal are under a lot of pressure. We're looking forward to this game and want to cause an upset.

The tie now moves to Emirates Stadium with Arsenal carrying home advantage and Leverkusen encouraged by a disciplined display, and both Andrich and Hjulmand stressing that the late penalty disappointment has not reduced their belief that progression remains possible.