LONDON (Interstat) — Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal as Arsenal held off Qairat FK 3-2 in a Champions League group stage match Wednesday at Emirates Stadium.

The hosts built a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring in the second minute, followed by Havertz in the 15th and Gabriel Martinelli in the 36th. Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori assisted on one goal but also received an early yellow card.

Qairat, undeterred, mounted a late comeback with two second-half substitute goals. Jorginho Costa scored and assisted on a stoppage-time goal by Ricardinho in the fourth added minute, creating a tense finish. The result defied a pregame projection that favored Arsenal by a wider margin.