Arsenal was knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in a penalty shootout, thereby ending their hopes of winning a European title.
Lisbon reached the quarterfinals by prevailing 5-3 in the shootout at the Emirates Stadium after a 1-1 draw in regulation in the second leg of their round-of-16 encounter. The first leg ended 2-2.
Gabriel Martinelli was unsuccessful in his attempt to convert from the spot for Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Manchester United had a more comfortable journey into the quarterfinals, securing a 1-0 victory against Real Betis.
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During extra time, Arsenal took control of the game, with midfielder Martin Ødegaard making an impact after coming on as a substitute. However, Sporting’s goalkeeper, Antonia Adán, made some impressive saves, leading the game to be decided by a penalty shootout.
In the closing moments of extra time, Manuel Ugarte received his second yellow card and was subsequently sent off.
Granit Xhaka gave Arsenal a first-half lead on a rebound to complete a flowing move by the hosts. Martinelli had his effort on goal blocked by Adán but the ball came into Xhaka’s path for the Arsenal captain to curl it into the net from inside the area.
Pedro Gonçalves leveled the score on the hour to spark the visitors’ attack and force extra time.
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, who returned for Arsenal as a substitute in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Fulham in the Premier League for the first time since sustaining an injury during the World Cup, started for manager Mikel Arteta.
Jesus produced some dangerous efforts but Adán denied him. The striker was substituted at halftime.
UNITED ADVANCES
In Seville, Marcus Rashford produced a clinical finish in the 56th minute, finding the bottom corner of the net with a low drive from outside the area to help United advance on a 5-1 aggregate score in the second-tier European competition.
Rashford’s 27th goal of the season came after the striker wasted several decent chances to put the visitors ahead at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville.
“Betis are a really good team, we saw that against Real Madrid and Barcelona, but we beat them twice so I think we performed really well,” manager Erik ten Hag told BT Sport. “Second half, we were much better on the ball, keeping it in their half and then you create chances.”
United won 4-1 in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
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Following a 0-0 draw against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday, Ten Hag made four changes in his starting lineup with right winger Facundo Pellistri getting his first start for the club.
United withstood Betis’ early pressure with Real’s 41-year-old captain Joaquín’s long-distance effort hitting the post 11 minutes into the game.
United won the Europa League in 2017.
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