Sporting CP defeated Arsenal in Europa League shootout after a goal by Goncalves

Last Updated: March 17, 2023

Sporting CP advanced to the Europa League quarterfinals after defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Thursday.

After a 2-2 draw in Lisbon on Thursday, the tie was equal on aggregate, and Granit Xhaka scored in the first half before Pedro Goncalves produced an incredible goal from just past midfield to square the game and send it to extra time and then a shootout.

On 19 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli's attempt was saved by Sporting keeper Antonio Adan, but the rebound went directly into Xhaka's path, and he stroked in with his first touch to give Arsenal the lead.

Despite taking the lead into halftime, Mikel Arteta was forced to make two injury changes in the first half: Ben White replaced Takehiro Tomiyasu on nine minutes, and Rob Holding replaced William Saliba shortly after.

Following the halftime, play continued at a rapid speed before the visiting supporters erupted just beyond the hour mark when Goncalves dispossessed Arsenal, crossed the halfway line, and sent a shot whistling over Aaron Ramsdale's head from 50 yards out to tie the score.

After the long-range equaliser, Arteta's side appeared startled, with Oleksandr Zinchenko gathering players at midfield before the restart as Arsenal attempted to take the game to their reenergized Portuguese opponents.

"I think we did enough in various phases of the game, but for the majority of the game, we were not at the level that we should have been," said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after the game, who converted the first spot kick of the shootout. "We played well in parts of the game, but we didn't play our best football. That was a close game that might have gone any way.

"It's a great blow to be eliminated from this tournament; it was a significant aim for us. But now we have to come back stronger and finish strong in the league."

Ramsdale needed medical care in the 72nd minute after receiving a well-struck Marcus Edwards strike to the face, but the England international was able to continue after a few seconds on his back.

Both teams failed to score in regulation, and the game proceeded to overtime with a score of 3-3 on aggregate.

Sporting's terrible back pass sent Leandro Trossard on goal with just the keeper to beat, but Adan bailed him out and clipped the Belgian's effort before it trickled in behind him and bounced off the post to safety.

When the match proceeded to penalties, Adan made another superb stop on a goal-bound Gabriel Magalhaes header, and Manuel Ugarte was sent off with a second yellow card for his tackle on Bukayo Saka.

Both sides were flawless from the spot until Adan stopped Martinelli's and Nuno Santos hit his to take Sporting to the quarterfinals.

Arsenal, who are five points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League rankings, return to play on Sunday against Crystal Palace. Sporting will find out who they will face in the Europa League quarterfinals following the results of Friday's draw.

Tags Archive

Sporting CP defeated Arsenal in Europa League shootout after a goal by Goncalves

Related Stories