Football

Sporting Portugal eliminates Arsenal on penalties and qualifies for the quarter-finals!

March 17, 2023

The round of 16 second leg of the Europa League continued this Thursday, with four meetings scheduled at 9 p.m. Held in check in the first leg, Arsenal, leaders of the Premier League, had to get rid of Sporting Portugal to join the quarter-finals of the competition. Under the eyes of their supporters gathered at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners quickly experienced a first blow with the injury exit of Tomiyasu, replaced by Ben White. However, Mikel Arteta’s men, organized in 4-3-3 with Jesus back in the lead, struck first. Launched in depth, Martinelli stumbled on Adan but Xhaka, opportunistic, concluded victoriously (1-0, 19th).

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A jewel to maintain the suspense!

Despite a new physical glitch and the exit of former Marseillais Saliba – freshly called up by Didier Deschamps – Arsenal kept control of operations. Found in the area, Jesus was close to making the break but the Spanish goalkeeper from Sporting intervened (30th). In front at the break, the London team retained their advantage after the break despite the strong intensity put on by the Lisbon team. Dominated, the Gunners no longer approached the surface of the Portuguese and were logically going to be punished.

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With a strike from 50 meters, Pedro Goncalves sublimated this evening and deceived Ramsdale, helpless (1-1, 62nd). Much sharper in the second half, Sporting insisted and Edwards passed very close to the break. Launched in the back of the defense, the English attacking midfielder finally stumbled on the London goalkeeper, decisive (72nd). In an indecisive end to the match and despite the entry into play of Bukayo Saka, neither of the two teams managed to decide between them and the extra time began. During this decisive period, Arsenal managed to regain control of the game. In an ideal position, Trossard thought he would release his own but Adan repelled the Gunner’s attempt on his post (98th).

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Sporting continues its European adventure!

A few moments later, it was Holding who rose higher than everyone from a corner but his header lacked precision (105+1st). Forced to defend, Sporting, reduced to ten in the last moments, held on and thus pushed the Londoners into a fateful penalty shootout despite two last headers from Gabriel, repelled by Adan (117th) then Diomandé (118th). In this game, it was Sporting who came out the best thanks to a final attempt converted by Nuno Santos. After an intense and indecisive evening, Sporting therefore joined the quarter-finals. End of the adventure, on the other hand, for the Gunners…