Sporting Lisbon knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League with a 5‑3 victory on penalties after Pedro Gonçalves scored an incredible equaliser for the Portuguese side in Thursday’s last‑16 second leg. Sporting trailed when Granit Xhaka put Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, but Gonçalves forced extra time with a breathtaking strike from 46 yards that beat Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale. His bolt from the blue was reminiscent of David Beckham’s long‑range chip for Manchester United against Wimbledon in 1996.
The encounter was level at 1‑1 on the night and 3‑3 on aggregate, so it went to penalties. Sporting emerged with a shock victory as Gabriel Martinelli’s effort was saved by Antonio Adán and Nuno Santos dispatched the winning kick. Defenders William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu limped off injured in the first half after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made five changes to protect his key players. Arsenal have not won a European trophy since lifting the Cup‑Winners’ Cup in 1994, and their wait will continue for another year, although the Gunners would gladly trade Europa League success for a long‑awaited Premier League title. Arsenal sit five points clear of second‑placed Manchester City as they chase their first league crown since 2004.
It was Sporting’s first victory in England since 2005, when they beat Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup. Arteta had fielded a strong side in the first leg in Lisbon but was more cautious ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, resting Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Thomas Partey. Arteta’s one concession to Arsenal’s attempt to reach the last eight was including Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus for his first start since knee surgery after his World Cup injury. Jesus, who had come off the bench against Fulham on Sunday, nearly marked his return with a goal, stretching to reach Reiss Nelson’s cross and forcing Adán to save at full stretch.
Arsenal moved ahead in the 19th minute when Gabriel Martinelli got behind the Sporting defence and shot, only for Adán to parry the effort; Xhaka lashed in the rebound from 12 yards. The sight of Saliba limping off moments later dampened celebrations of Xhaka’s fifth goal of the season. After the French centre‑back’s departure, Arsenal recovered composure and Jesus found space for a low strike that was smartly saved by Adán. Arteta, aware of Jesus’s injury problems, substituted him at halftime to preserve his star striker.
Sporting mounted a strong showing in the second half, and their pressure was rewarded in stunning fashion in the 62nd minute. When Jorginho lost possession in the centre circle, Gonçalves seized the chance, looking up to see Ramsdale off his line before unleashing an incredible lofted strike from just inside the Gunners’ half that arced over the keeper and dipped under the bar. Ramsdale was left bewildered in his own net, and Arsenal almost conceded again when Paulinho headed just over. Sporting’s Marcus Edwards and Arsenal substitute Trossard both spurned glorious chances, and Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte was sent off for a second bookable offence after colliding with Bukayo Saka in the 118th minute.
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