• Match review

Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP (3-3 agg) (3-5 pens): Gunners crash out of Europa League

Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP
© Ace Football
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A lengthy battle at Emirates saw Sporting edge out Arsenal in the last-16 round.

Sporting Lisbon defeated Arsenal in the penalties to reach the Europa League quarter-finals. After 120 minutes, the two sides faced off in penalty shootouts, with Gabriel Martinelli missing the crucial shot for Arsenal.

Goncalves scores a super goal!

Arsenal started off by pushing for an early breakthrough as they attacked down both flanks. Mikel Arteta’s men finally broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.

A blocked shot from Martinelli found Granit Xhaka, who smashed the rebound into the back of the net.

The Gunners kept Sporting under pressure to double their lead. However, as the first period went on, the visitors slowly found their foot in the game.

After a good start to the second half, Sporting found their equalizer through Pedro Goncalves in the 62nd minute. The Portuguese star latched onto the ball in the middle of the pitch before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Aaron Ramsdale.

The goal forced Arsenal to send more bodies forward to restore their lead. However, the visitors managed to keep them at bay with quick counter-attacks.

Both sides continued their efforts during the extra time, with Arsenal dominating the game in the second period. However, Sporting’s solid defence prevented the Gunners from finding a late match-winner.

Manuel Ugarte received a second yellow card in the 118th minute. But it was already too late for Arsenal to benefit from their numerical advantage.

Both sides converted their first four spot-kicks, but Antonio Adan managed to save Martinelli’s low shot. Nuno Santos then smashed his side’s fifth penalty to knock Arsenal out of the Europa League.

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