简体中文
In a week of dramatic upsets and stunning comebacks in European football, Arsenal made a valiant comeback to thwart CSKA Moscow of a miraculous upset in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
The Gunners played a nervy 2-2 draw to sail into the semifinals with a 6-3 aggregate win after being 0-2 down till the 75th of the return leg in Moscow.
CSKA Moscow's Russian striker Fedor Chalov (2nd R) scores past Arsenal's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech during the UEFA Europa League second leg quarter-final in Moscow.
After their 4-1 defeat in the first-leg at the Emirates Stadium, the determined hosts drew the first blood as Fedor Chalov scored towards the end of the first half. Much to the delight of the Russian fans, Kirill Nababkin then doubled the lead in the 50th minute.
Viktor Goncharenko's side almost repeated Roma’s fairytale comeback against Barcelona on Tuesday night when they went close to drawing level on aggregate and leading on away goals before Petr Cech saved Aleksandr Golovin's free-kick and Sergei Ignashevich shot narrowly wide.
However, Danny Welbeck scored in the 75th minute to ease the pressure for Arsene Wenger’s boys and Aaron Ramsey's goal in injury time leveled the score at 2-2 and also sealed a semifinal berth for the English Premier League.
Atletico's players applaud at the end of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Sporting Lisbon at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon.
‘Nervous’ Atletico seal a semifinal berth despite loss
Meanwhile, in another Europa League game of the night, Atletico Madrid survived a scare after biting the dust against Sporting Lisbon in the return leg of their quarterfinal tie but still made it to the final four with a 2-1 aggregate win.
Despite coming into the game with a 2-0 win in the first-leg, the Spaniards made a shaky start in Lisbon as injuries to Lucas Hernandez and Diego Costa turned things difficult for the Madrid club.
To make things worse, a spirited Lisbon side took the lead thanks to a Fredy Montero first-half header to take the game down to the wire at a wet Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday.
Sporting's Colombian forward Fredy Montero celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg.
Even though they revived their hopes of leveling the score on aggregate with another goal, but a gritty Atletico defense denied the home side the much-needed second goal until the final whistle was blown.
The 0-1 loss was more than enough for Diego Simone’s side to move into the last four stage alongside Arsenal, Marseille and Salzburg with a 2-1 aggregate win.
The draw for the semi-final line-up will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday.
(CGTN)
