Premier League leaders Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League after losing 5-3 on penalties to Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates.
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.
Heads up and onto the next. pic.twitter.com/9lDqiRrmfT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
Gabriel Martinelli failed to convert from the spot for Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka fired Arsenal ahead in the first half before Pedro Goncalves’ 46-yard stunner levelled the score.
💬 “It’s done now, we can’t think too much about it, we have to move forward and we have a new game on Sunday and we just have to be ready for that one now.” pic.twitter.com/R7UXPwD9G0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
Mikel Arteta was forced into two early changes after Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba picked up injuries.
“It’s a huge blow,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told BT Sport.
“There were moments, especially during the first 75 minutes, when we weren’t at our level and gave every ball away.”
Rashford scores again
Marcus Rashford once again proved the difference in Manchester United’s 1-0 Europa League victory against Real Betis.
He 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.
Quarter-finals = secured! ✅#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 17, 2023
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.
🔑 Controlling the game in the early stages was key, says @HarryMaguire93.#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 17, 2023
United won 4-1 in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
The first goal was crucial 👊#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 16, 2023
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 won the Europa League in 2017.
AS Roma through to quarters
Jose Mourinho’s quest for a second European trophy in two seasons continues as AS Roma grind out a goalless draw against Real Sociedad to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
THROUGH TO THE QUARTER-FINALS! 💪
🟨 DAJE ROMA DAJE 🟥#ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/0Gc3Z41Vfv
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 16, 2023
Jose Mourinho had praise for the home side’s attempts to turn the tie around.
💬 “We head back to Rome tired but happy and proud.”
🗣️ Jose Mourinho’s post-match thoughts after our qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals!
👉 https://t.co/Vy83Cvn16T#ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/JUehHKLMlm
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 16, 2023
“When they are 2-0 down, the home team risks everything to turn things around. They did well with their fans, marvellous stadium and crowd behind them, but the lads gave their all,” Mourinho said after the victory to Sky Sport Italia.
“They had the ambition initially to score a goal in the first 15-20 minutes, which was the opposite of the domination people expected at the start. I saw a Dybala shot that looked like it had to go in.
“After that, we defended very well, tried to go on the counter-attack and never stopped trying to score a goal, even when we were pushed deeper. That’s why I introduced fresh legs with El Shaarawy and Abraham.
“I also want to thank the Roma fans who travelled here for the game and were penned into that cage suffering along with us.”