
<p>After a thrilling <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-sporting-draw-in-europa-league-first-leg-20230309-WST-422884.html">2-2 draw</a> in the first leg of their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> round of 16 tie, Arsenal and Sporting faced off again at the Emirates on Thursday. This game, much like the first, was end to end throughout, with both sides playing aggressive.</p>



<p>For much of the game, Sporting looked the two more likely to score. The Portuguese side not only ripped more shots in the direction of Aaron Ramsdale. Many of the chances created came oh so close. In the first half, though, they all were left wanting. </p>



<p>Instead, it was Arsenal that grabbed the opener. And, at that time, it poised to be a similar showing for what Arsenal does in the Premier League. Grab the lead, dominate possession and shut the game down. Yet, two first-half substitutions due to injury would make that task more challenging. </p>



<p>Jorginho played an inch-perfect pass into the run of Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s attempt met the leg of Adán in goal. However, the rebound came out perfectly to Granit Xhaka, who lashed the ball across the box and into the far corner of the net. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Granit Xhaka reacts the fastest and Arsenal have the lead. 🤩<br><br>Jorginho&apos;s pass in the build up. 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/3nU2N18RM1">pic.twitter.com/3nU2N18RM1</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636463834457337856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>After that, both sides had strong chances. Gabriel Jesus smacked the gloves of Antonio Adán after a clever run through the Sporting defense. Then, just before halftime, Sporting fired one of its many shots just wide of the post.</p>



<p>That was a theme on the night. Sporting had the mentality to shoot, even if most never required action from Aaron Ramsdale.</p>



<h5>Stunning strike brings Sporting level</h5>



<p>It only took one of those attempts on target to make the difference for Sporting. Few could have expected such an audacious attempt, though. </p>



<p>Pedro Gonçalves claimed a loose ball at the halfway line. He took it just over five yards into the Arsenal half and let fly. The camera brought in a backpedaling Aaron Ramsdale, but the ball kept floating in the air. It eventually tucked in just under the crossbar, despite Aaron Ramsdale flailing his hands at the ball.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PEDRO GONÇALVES CAUGHT AARON RAMSDALE OFF OF HIS LINE!<br><br>ASTONISHING GOAL! 😳 <a href="https://t.co/DohIEkSiBt">pic.twitter.com/DohIEkSiBt</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636479460391424001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>After that, Sporting collected more and more chances. The best of those was a breakaway from Marcus Edwards. The Tottenham Hotspur academy product had a chance to sink a club he surely has disdain for. However, the face of <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636481780026077184">Aaron Ramsdale denied the shot</a>.</p>



<p>The game reached extra time in search of a winner.</p>



<h2>Arsenal and Sporting go beyond the 90 in Europa League</h2>



<p>Leandro Trossard had the first major chance of the additional 30 minutes. However, Adán met the challenge. The goalkeeper came out to meet the Belgian on the breakaway, throwing out a right fist that deflected the attempt. The ball then squirmed right and clamored off the post.</p>



<p>Adán would prove to be, on multiple occasions, the difference in this game. Not only did he have more splendid saves in extra time. He had an all-important save when the 120 minutes concluded.</p>



<p>With both clubs perfect from 12 yards, Gabriel Martinelli stepped up for Arsenal. In what was a weak effort, Adán saved the waist-high shot to his left. That put Sporting on the cusp of advancing. </p>



<p>Nuno Santos put his attempt away, giving the visitors the win, 5-3 on penalties, after a 3-3 score on aggregate.</p>



<p>A silver lining for Arsenal? It can now focus solely on the Premier League title race. The Gunners’ biggest rival, Manchester City, still has eyes on the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


After drawing 2-2 in Portugal, Sporting and Arsenal put together another fantastic display in the Europa League round of 16.

Arsenal and Sporting go the distance in Europa League classic


<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/switzerland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Switzerland</a> grabbed the final spot of the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 World Cup</a> knockout phase on Friday with a win over Serbia. The European team entered the day holding the second spot of Group G, as <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> already locked up a place in the next phase. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/serbia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Serbia</a>, needing a win to advance in the competition, did not make it easy for the Swiss squad.</p>



<p>Xerdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler were on the scoresheet on the night as Switzerland beat Serbia, 3-2. There were two different lead changes in the massive match. Serbia fought back with two goals inside nine minutes, but couldn’t keep the Swiss out of goal in the end.</p>



<h2>Switzerland and Serbia full of skirmishes</h2>



<p>The game was feisty from start to finish. There were 31 totals fouls and 11 yellow cards handed out by the referee. Multiple clashes between players on both sides broke out throughout the duration of the fixture as well. </p>



<p>Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was at the middle of the skirmishes a few times in the second half. The Swiss captain even received a yellow card for incidents involving two different Serbian players in added time.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Switzerland advances to the knockout stages after a FIFA World Cup classic against Serbia 🇨🇭👏<br><br>Relive all the CRAZY back-and-forth moments in our 90&apos; in 90" highlights ⬇️ <a href="https:\/\/t.co/8MxZa2m55T">pic.twitter.com/8MxZa2m55T</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598789776999489536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>These two teams have a bit of an interesting history together. Serbia and Switzerland also matched up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Swiss won this matchup as well. </p>



<p>However, the main talking point in that particular game was how Shaqiri and Xhaka celebrated their goals. Each <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/3956860/2022/12/02/switzerland-shaqiri-xhaka-world-cup-serbia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formed an eagle with their hands</a> and sticking out their tongues. This was to symbolize the flag of Albania, which both players have roots to. Serbia and Kosovo have had tension since the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s.</p>



<h5>Brazil keeps top spot despite loss</h5>



<p>Elsewhere in the group, Brazil ended up losing to Cameroon thanks to a goal by Vincent Aboubakar in the 92nd minute of the match. The defeat, however, ultimately did not mean much. The Brazilians still finished top of their group.</p>



<p>Switzerland will now face on Portugal in the knockout round on Tuesday. Brazil, on the other hand, play South Korea on Monday.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua</em></p>


Switzerland wins thrilling World Cup match against Serbia 3-2 in matchup against two teams that have an interesting rivalry.

Switzerland clinches knockout spot despite Serbia surge

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Arsenal

Arsenal and Sporting go the distance in Europa League classic

Serbia

Switzerland clinches knockout spot despite Serbia surge