Sporting Lisbon secured a stunning victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, knocking them out of the Europa League with a 5-3 penalty shootout win in Thursday’s last 16 second leg.
Sporing knocks out Arsenal on penalties
The game ended level at 1-1, with Pedro Goncalves scoring an incredible equaliser for Sporting, forcing extra time. The match finished 3-3 on aggregate, requiring penalties to decide the winner.
Sporting emerged as the surprise victors with Nuno Santos dispatching the winning kick, and Gabriel Martinelli’s effort being saved by Antonio Adan.
Arsenal took the lead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, with Granit Xhaka’s goal in the 19th minute. Gabriel Martinelli got behind the Sporting defence for a shot that was parried out by Adan, with Xhaka lashing in the rebound from 12 yards. However, the celebrations were short-lived as defender William Saliba limped off injured moments later.
Goncalves Scores Breathtaking Strike
Portugal midfielder Pedro Goncalves drew Sporting level in the 62nd minute, beating Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a breathtaking strike from 46 yards out.
The audacious goal was reminiscent of David Beckham’s long-range chip for Manchester United against Wimbledon that launched him to superstardom in 1996. Sporting mounted a strong showing in the second half, with Paulinho almost scoring another goal.
With reality television star Kim Kardashian and her Arsenal fan son Saint watching from the stands, a pulsating encounter ended level at 1-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate, requiring extra time to settle the tie.
The game remained tied even after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout to determine the winner. In the end, it was Sporting who emerged victorious, shocking Arsenal and the football world.
Arteta’s Reaction
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment after the match, stating, “A huge blow obviously. There were moments in the first 75 minutes where we weren’t at our level. We gave every ball away, and we didn’t have the capacity to take the game. We had big chances to finish the game. We have to look at ourselves and why we were not good enough to go through.”
Adding to Arsenal’s woes, defenders William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu limped off injured in the first half after Arteta tried to protect his key players by making five changes. Arsenal hasn’t won a European trophy since lifting the Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1994, and their wait will go on for another year.
Looking Ahead
The Gunners would gladly swap Europa League success for a long-awaited Premier League title. Arsenal currently sit five points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League as they chase their first title since 2004.
Arteta had fielded a strong side in the first leg in Lisbon but was more cautious ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, resting Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Ben White, and Thomas Party.
Arsenal’s next game with Palace is crucial, and Arteta said, “We have 11 games left. Our next game with Palace is a final. All the work we do right now has to be towards Palace. We have to be better than this game.”
