SEVILLE:
Sporting Lisbon sent Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League with a penalty shootout after Pedro Goncalves’ stunning goal, while Manchester United and Juventus reached the quarter-finals on Thursday.
The game was played when Granit Xhaka put Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead at the Emirates Stadium.
But Portugal international Goncalves forced extra time when he found Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with a stunning 46-yard free-kick.
With TV star Kim Kardashian and her Arsenal team-mate Saint in the audience, the game finished 1-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate, requiring penalty to secure the tie.
The game emerged with a 5-3 victory in Gabriel Martinelli’s game saved by Antonio Adan and Nuno Santos sent the winning kick.
Manager of Arsenal Mikel Arteta said the result was a “big blow” and slammed his side for wasting the opportunity.
“There were times in the first 75 minutes when we weren’t in our position. We gave away all the balls and we didn’t have the energy to make the game,” said the Spaniard.
“There were chances to win in extra time. There was a lot of uncertainty in the pens, it was a very difficult game.”
It was a more comfortable night for Manchester United as Marcus Rashford’s drive from distance secured a 1-0 win over Real Betis and a 5-1 success.
Joaquin hit the post for Betis and Juanmi denied two clear chances for the hosts as they started well, trying hard to end their three-goal lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium.
But Rashford’s stunning goal early in the second half ended the tie.
“As soon as you score the first goal the game is gone, and they lose confidence,” said Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
“That’s another step (forward) we took in mind, a winning attitude, to deal with that.”
Three-time champions Juventus won 2-0 against 10-man Freiburg to advance 3-0 on aggregate, with goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.
Juventus, who led Freiburg by a goal from the first leg, thought they had taken the lead when Vlahovic struck from distance, but VAR ruled it out.
.
Leave a Reply