Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (agg. 3-3, Sporting win 5-3 on penalties)
Sporting tonight wrote a golden page in their history by knocking English Premier League leaders Arsenal out of the Europa League, going through on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, and 3-3 aggregate score.
Sporting started confidently, but fell behind to a Granit Xhaka goal. The Portuguese team did not wilt though, more than matching Arsenal and drawing level through a sensational Pedro Gonçalves goal with a shot from near the halfway line (pictured). Marcus Edwards missed a great chance to win it in normal time, Aaron Ramsdale coming out on top in a one-on-one.
Only in extra time did Arsenal, having brought on their big guns, force Sporting into defence, with Adán making some brilliant saves, and the Spaniard was the hero in the penalty shootout, saving from Gabriel Martinelli, leaving Nuno Santos to score the winning spot kick and spark wild celebrations among the large contingent of travelling supporters.
Porto’s UEFA Champions League campaign is over after a 0-0 draw against Inter Milan in the Round of 16 second leg.
With only ten rounds of matches of the season remaining there is a feeling the real Liga Bwin run-in is firmly underway. Benfica continued their status as favourites to lift the crown, overcoming Marítimo to stay clear of nearest challengers Porto.
There is a growing sense that something special could happen this season, as Benfica marched into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, keen to confront whatever challenges this last eight stage of the competition may bring.
Famalicão defeated Casa Pia 1-0 in a classic game of two halves at Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho.