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Last Update: March 10, 2023, 06:53 AM IST
Europa League: Manchester United, Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon (AP)
Manchester United beat Real Betis 4-1 as Arsenal held Sporting Lisbon to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Manchester United recovered from a historic thrashing by Liverpool to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday, while a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon saw Arsenal reach the quarters. Gave. -Final.
United equaled their heaviest defeat and their worst since 1931 when they went down 7–0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Erik ten Haag responded by naming the same starting line-up and was rewarded with a return to form.
“You see how a team reacts after a setback,” Ten Haag said. Team.”
Marcus Rashford gave United an early lead with his 26th goal of the season, but Betis equalized against a run-of-play when Ayoze Perez fired into the far corner.
It was two of United’s most criticized stars in recent times who made the difference after the break.
Antony fired a volleyed shot into the top corner before Bruno Fernandes, again named as captain by Ten Haag, headed in Luke Shaw’s corner.
Ten Haag said, “Bruno was fantastic today.”
Wat Weghorst then scored his second goal in 15 appearances for United from close range six minutes from time.
Premier League leaders Arsenal were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw in the Portuguese capital.
Despite going for the league title for the first time in 19 years, Mikel Arteta named a strong side and William Saliba steered the visitors.
Sporting equalized soon after in almost identical fashion, Goncalo Inácio heading home Marcus Edwards’ corner.
Former Tottenham midfielder Edwards had a role in Sporting’s second as Paulinho reacted quickest to finish inside the area.
Arsenal were level just after the hour mark, however, when Granit Xhaka’s cross was deflected away by the unfortunate Hidemasa Morita and rebounded into his own net.
“Seeing that you concede two goals away from home and still escape with a draw, you have to take something positive,” Arsenal boss Arteta said.
“But we gave them a lot of hope by giving them the ball many times in our own half.”
– Italy veterans benefit –
Juventus will take a narrow lead against Germany next week after in-form Angel Di Maria scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Freiburg.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma were also on course for the last eight after goals from Stéphane El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla beat Real Sociedad 2–0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Six-time winners Sevilla may be fighting a relegation battle in La Liga but are always a threat in the Europa League and goals from Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela will take a 2-0 first leg lead at Fenerbahçe in Istanbul next week .
In the night’s play, Bundesliga surprise package Union Berlin snatched a 3-3 draw against Union Saint-Gillois despite falling behind three times.
Bayer Leverkusen beat Ferencvaros 2–0 at home, while Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord played out a 1–1 draw.
In the UEFA Conference League, Michael Antonio scored the first two goals to give West Ham a 2–0 win at AEK Larnaca.
Villarreal were held 1-1 away at Anderlecht, while Nice and Fiorentina held 1-0 leads at Sheriff Tiraspol and Sivasspor respectively.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
