Champions League – Saka scores as Arsenal thrashes Lille 3-0

In a key match of the second round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, Arsenal, playing at home at the Emirates Stadium, defeated Lille 3-0 thanks to goals from Timber, Eze and Saka.

Six minutes into the match, Lille intercepted the ball and launched an attack. Dillane Bakwa received the ball and entered the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by an opposing player. In the 15th minute, Arsenal midfielder Eze dribbled past the defense in the penalty area and passed the ball back to Guimarães, whose shot was cleared.

In the 20th minute, Arsenal continued their attack. Guimarães received a pass back from Timber and shot, but the ball went wide of the post. In the 23rd minute, Lille's attack was cleared, and Ayase Ueda followed up in the penalty area and shot the ball into the empty net, but Ueda was offside, so the goal was disallowed.

In the 29th minute, Ayase Ueda was tackled by Arsenal midfielder Merino while attempting a dribble, and the referee showed Merino a yellow card. In the 35th minute, Maduk's lobbed pass was cleared, and Merino, unmarked, took a volley, but the ball went over the goal.

In the first half stoppage time, Lewis Skelly made a diagonal pass, and Guimarães, who was at the edge of the penalty area, took a long-range shot, but it was blocked by Lille goalkeeper Ozer. Subsequently, Dzekereš attempted a follow-up shot, but Ozer also saved the opportunity.

In the 49th minute of the second half, Merino orchestrated an attack, and Guimarães received the ball and took a long-range shot, but the ball went wide of the goal. In the 59th minute, Maduk received the ball in the penalty area and shot, but his effort was blocked by an opposing player. In the 61st minute, Konsa passed the ball to Eze, whose follow-up shot was cleared.

In the 64th minute, Maduk crossed the ball from the penalty area, and Timber received it before chipping it into the net, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead. In the 67th minute, Saka received a through pass from Odegaard and crossed it into the penalty area, where Eze slotted it past the defense to make it 2-0 for Arsenal against Lille.

In the 71st minute, Ødegaard created an attacking opportunity, Havertz passed the ball back from the penalty area, Saka received the ball, adjusted his position a few steps, and then fired a low shot into the net, helping Arsenal extend their lead to 3-0. In the 83rd minute, Eze received the ball in the penalty area and shot, but his effort was blocked.

In the 90th minute, Ødegaard made a diagonal pass, and Max Doman received the pass and shot, but the ball was cleared by the opposing player.

Arsenal ultimately secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Lille at home.

Image source: Internet