Sporting takes Arsenal out of penalties!

Sporting de Portugal starred in a big surprise in the round of 16 of the Europa League after eliminating Premier League leader Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on penalties at the Emirates (3-5). This was the outcome of an exciting tie with constant alternatives in both games, which resulted in draws (2-2 in Lisbon and 1-1 in London).

Mikel Arteta left the bench Odegaard, Saka, Thomas Partey, Trossard and Ben White, although he had to come on after just eight minutes of play from the Japanese side Takehiro Tomiyasu withdrew due to a right knee injury in action at Francisco Trincão.

Certainly the winger on loan from Barça starred in some interesting actions in the early stages of the game, leading against the odds a Sporting team that took the ball from Arsenal. Trincao He played on the left but was very dangerous on the right when he received, cut a defender and his cross shot just missed the post (12′).

Gabriel Jesus, starter and Xhaka scored 1-0

But the leader of the Premier put the batteries after the first time of Gabriel Jesus, starting for the first time after recovering from a knee injury sustained in November with Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.

This is the prelude to 1-0, the work of Granite Xhaka when taking the rejection of Madrid’s goal Antony Adam after the first shot Gabriel Martinelli, who received a long ball took advantage of the error in the cut of Ricardo Esgaio (19′).

Saliba also retired injured

Seconds later, a second central defender from Arsenal also had to retire when he spotted the centre-back William Saliba, a fix for Arteta, muscular discomfort.

Arsenal are already playing in so many ways that it shows in the Premier with its dizzying football, but Adam remained Sporting on his feet. First in an auction of Martinelli and soon in a play where gabriel jesus He proved to be fully recovered. The Brazilian carved a hole in the area between several rivals and forced Adam to show his reflexes (29′).

The second part started like the first. Sporting came out determined and took a step forward in search of a draw. Arsenal lost a lot of the ball, they found themselves outclassed and I didn’t miss the 1-1, although I know how they did it.

Gonçalves equalized from the center circle

Pedro Goncalves stole across the dividing line of the two fields, he advanced a few meters and from almost the center circle, he saw it. Aaron Ramsdale He is quite advanced, he throws the ball without thinking about it with a beautiful and very accurate shot that is just below the crossbar (61′).

Arteta entered Thomas Partey for Jorginho and Bukayo Saka for Reiss Nelsonbut Sporting were undaunted and, ambitious, went 1-2. marcus edwards had it when receiving alone, but Ramsdale miracle when the ball hit his face (71′).

Adam, Sporting hero

Although both teams tried to avoid extra time, they failed. Arsenal, clearly dominant, deserved not to go to penalties, but Adam exaggerated earlier Trossard. i enter Martin Odegaard, the sixth amendment, to intensify the siege but with the last breath himself Adam removed first and a few seconds later Ousmane Diomande head butts from Gabriel Magalhaes. at 188′ Mateu Lahoz the second yellow is shown on Manuel Ugarte for a tough tackle on Saka.

in batches Adam he certainly became a Sporting hero by stopping Martinelli the only one of the nine shots that did not end in a goal.