Kai Havertz admitted feeling a bit sorry after scoring a penalty that helped Arsenal secure a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.
On 12 Mar 2026, Kai Havertz apologized to his former team after scoring a penalty that helped the "Gunners" Arsenal draw 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg.
In the match, Leverkusen took the lead in the 46th minute before the "Gunners" equalized at the 89th minute from a situation where Noni Madueke fell after a slight touch from Malik Tillman. Despite protests from the home side, VAR confirmed the penalty for Arsenal, and Kai Havertz successfully converted it.
After the match, Havertz, who was playing at the stadium for the first time since leaving Leverkusen in 2020, told DAZN he had mixed feelings about the crucial goal: "A penalty in the final minute is not always easy, but moments like these are what I've trained for over many years to be ready. I'm happy I dared to take the shot and scored, but I also feel sorry for the Leverkusen players. That's football."
Meanwhile, Kasper Hjulmand, Leverkusen's coach, commented on the penalty, saying, "I have mixed feelings. It was a very good performance against a top team. Of course, we're disappointed with the final moment. Winning 1-0 is always better than drawing 1-1. It wasn’t a penalty—I don’t see where the foul was—but that’s how it is."
However, both teams must return to fight again in the second leg at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home ground, on 17 Mar to decide which team advances to the quarterfinals.