Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP (agg: 3-3, 3-5 pens): Visitors reach Europa League quarter-finals on penalties after Pedro Gonçalves stunner | UEFA Europa League
Pedro Gonçalves struck from the halfway line with a sensational shot as the ten-man Sporting CP fought back and surpassed Leandro Trossard’s post before eliminating Arsenal on penalties and reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
key moments
19′: Xhaka lures the Gunners forward in the tie
62′: Pedro Gonçalves equalizes just from half-time
72′: Ramsdale fends off Edwards at close range
97′: Adán deflects Trossard’s shot to the post
117′: Goalkeeper saves Gabriel’s header
118′: Yellow card sent off for Ugarte
Game in brief: Crazy in sports
Sporting were the closest to threatening but Arsenal struck first, Granit Xhaka clinking in after Antonio Adán saved Gabriel Martinelli’s feeble shot. That gave the hosts momentum and Gabriel Jesus – involved for 45 minutes in his first start since November – added a lot to their good work.
After the break, however, the Lions looked transformed, although their flamboyant brilliant equalizer came out of the blue. Pedro Gonçalves looked up from just past the halfway line and threw a bold, perfectly weighted lob over Aaron Ramsdale and into the roof of the net.
Arsenal staggered, only avoiding going behind as Ramsdale bravely thwarted former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards after he broke away. The Premier League leaders rallied in extra time, however, and a shot from substitute Leandro Trossard hit a post with the inspired Adán’s fingertips.
Manuel Ugarte received a second caution with two minutes remaining but Sporting would not be denied. After seven perfect shots, Gabriel Martinelli’s attempt from Arsenal’s fourth penalty was pushed aside by Adán and Nuno Santos scored the winning penalty with vigor.
Lynsey Hooper, Arsenal reporter
The hosts had more key chances but couldn’t end this draw. Sporting never looked good and Adán was at his best. The pendulum finally felt in Sporting’s favor in the penalty shoot-out, especially towards the end when the away fans were behind the goal. It feels tough for Arsenal but when it comes to character and mental resilience they have found their match at Sporting.
Carlos Machado, Sporting CP reporter
The visitors reach the last eight after an epic penalty shootout victory. Rúben Amorim said Sporting could face the Premier League leaders and they did. Pedro Gonçalves’ miracle goal was the highlight – together with Adán he was the hero.
reaction
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager: “It’s a huge hit. Especially in the first 75 minutes there were moments when we weren’t up to our level and gave away every ball. It was a very different game from runs on the second line in the first leg. We didn’t put enough pressure on the ball. This created an open, switch-oriented game that we didn’t want to play.”
Reuben Amorim, Athletic CP trainer: “The result is the only thing that matters, but you have to applaud the way my players played – the way they got up after conceding the first goal that we didn’t deserve. We had a tough time at the end . Extra time was difficult for us. Arsenal have always respected us. We were happy to go to penalties but we deserved it.”
Martin Keown, BT Sport
“The way Sporting executed those penalties, with the pressure they were under – you wondered if Ramsdale would get them but they were insistent. Arsenal were better in overtime but Sporting deserved the win. “
Important statistics
- Sporting are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the third time and for the first time since 2017/18.
- Sporting are unbeaten in their last five European games against English opponents (W1, W4).
- The Lions have lost five of their last 11 games against English opposition, five of which have been drawn, including this one.
- The loss extended the Gunners’ winless run in the knockout stage games of the competition to five games.
- Arsenal had not conceded a goal in four Europa League home games before Pedro Gonçalves’ goal.
- The London club had won their last three home games in the competition this season.
lineups
arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu (White 9), Saliba (Holding 21), Gabriel, Zinchenko; Nelson (Saka 66), Jorginho (Partey 66), Xhaka, Fábio Vieira (Ødegaard 100); Martinelli, Jesus (Trossard 46)
Sporty CP: Adan; St. Juste, Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio; Ricardo Esgaio, Pedro Gonçalves (Dário Essugo 93), Ugarte, Matheus Reis (Nuno Santos 93); Edwards (Tanlongo 119), Paulinho (Youssef Chermiti 89), Francisco Trincao (Arthur Gomes 105)