Arsenal, Milan Reach Europa League Last 16
LONDON (Dispatches) - Arsenal needed a late comeback to secure their place in the draw for the Europa League last 16 where they will be joined by Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, AC Milan and Rangers but Napoli and PSV Eindhoven crashed out on Thursday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 87th-minute header secured Arsenal a 3-2 win over Benfica for a 4-3 aggregate victory, but the Premier League side had been staring at the exit door.
After the first leg, played in Rome because of COVID-19 restrictions, ended 1-1, Arsenal’s home leg was played in Athens and all looked comfortable when Aubameyang scored early on.
Diogo Goncalvez curled home a free kick for Portuguese giants Benfica just before halftime, however, and when a terrible mistake by Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos allowed Rafa Silva to put Benfica 2-1 ahead just past the hour it looked grim for Arsenal.
Kieran Tierney fired home the equalizer, however, before Aubameyang headed in from close range to seal a dramatic win.
Milan squeezed past Red Star Belgrade on away goals after their tie ended 3-3 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the San Siro. Franck Kessie’s penalty gave Milan the lead but Red Star hit back through Ben Nabouhane and pushed hard late on despite being reduced to 10 men.
Roma completed a 5-1 aggregate in over Braga while Manchester United also eased through after a 0-0 home draw against Real Sociedad, following a 4-0 first leg win.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 87th-minute header secured Arsenal a 3-2 win over Benfica for a 4-3 aggregate victory, but the Premier League side had been staring at the exit door.
After the first leg, played in Rome because of COVID-19 restrictions, ended 1-1, Arsenal’s home leg was played in Athens and all looked comfortable when Aubameyang scored early on.
Diogo Goncalvez curled home a free kick for Portuguese giants Benfica just before halftime, however, and when a terrible mistake by Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos allowed Rafa Silva to put Benfica 2-1 ahead just past the hour it looked grim for Arsenal.
Kieran Tierney fired home the equalizer, however, before Aubameyang headed in from close range to seal a dramatic win.
Milan squeezed past Red Star Belgrade on away goals after their tie ended 3-3 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the San Siro. Franck Kessie’s penalty gave Milan the lead but Red Star hit back through Ben Nabouhane and pushed hard late on despite being reduced to 10 men.
Roma completed a 5-1 aggregate in over Braga while Manchester United also eased through after a 0-0 home draw against Real Sociedad, following a 4-0 first leg win.