Watch incredible goal scored by Sporting star from halfway line in the Europa League
Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Goncalves scored a sensational goal from the halfway line against Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday 16 March.
Granit Xhaka had given the Gunners the lead in the 19th minute of their round of 16 second leg in the Emirates. Sporting had some good chances but it took a wonderful Goncalves strike to restore the visitors’ level.
The Portuguese midfielder picked the ball up the halfway line after a rally and took a few steps before the shot. His shot flew over and past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale straight into the goal.
See Goncalves’ goal below:
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Goncalves goal helped Sporting put the game into overtime after the aggregate score was 3-3. Last week, the two sides drew 2-2 in the first leg in Portugal.
Both teams had several chances to score in extra time, but were unable to take advantage of them. Manuel Ugarte was sent off in the 118th minute after his second yellow card.
Sporting eventually won the tie 5-3 on penalties after Antonio Adan saved Gabriel Martinelli’s kick.
Sporting reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League with Juventus, Manchester United, Roma, Feyenoord, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen and Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s loss to Sporting CP
Arsenal are now eliminated from all cup competitions and will now focus on the Premier League title challenge. They are currently top of the table, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
Manager Mikel Arteta was asked if Sporting’s defeat was a blessing in disguise as they could focus on the Premier League. He replied (via Arsenal.com):
“I can’t see it that way today. I don’t know, if you go through the competition and win it’s great, if not then it affects your plans in the league, that’s another story.”
He added:
“We wanted to get through and we gave it our all, the effort the guys made when it wasn’t our best day, individually and collectively, the hunger and will to win they showed, the way they drove back , Was incredible. They really wanted it and today it didn’t happen. We have to get our heads up, look towards Crystal Palace, there are 11 games left, the first starts on Sunday.
Arsenal will next host Crystal Palace on Sunday 19 March.
Edited by
Siddharth Dhananjay