LISBON, Portugal: Premier League leader Arsenal were held 2-2 at Sporting Lisbon in their Europa League round-of-16 first-leg match Thursday.
Hidemasa Morita’s own goal in the 62nd minute salvaged the draw for Arsenal ahead of the return leg at Emirates Stadium next Thursday for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Morita deflected Granit Xhaka’s long-distance drive into his own net.
Arsenal, boosted by a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, dominated early possession and went ahead through William Saliba.
The defender headed in the opener for Arsenal from a corner from Fábio Vieira to capitalize on early pressure in the 22nd.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made six changes to his starting lineup compared with Saturday, giving defender Jakub Kiwior his debut at the back alongside Saliba.
Arsenal strikers Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah were missing for the game in Lisbon while former Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin was not available for Sporting due to a knee injury.
Sporting equalized with almost an identical reply as Arsenal’s defense looked vulnerable.
Gonçalo Inácio headed home off a Marcus Edwards corner past goalkeeper Matt Turner 12 minutes after Saliba’s goal.
It was Sporting’s first goal against Arsenal in their fifth encounter in European competitions.
Ten minutes into the second half, Sporting turned the game around, with Paulinho putting the hosts ahead on a rebound.
Arsenal held 2-2 at Sporting in Europa League round of 16
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Arsenal held 2-2 at Sporting in Europa League round of 16
- Hidemasa Morita's own goal in the 62nd minute salvaged the draw for Arsenal
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made six changes to his starting lineup compared with Saturday
Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for first World Cup finals in 40 years under threat amid regional conflict
- National team head coach Graham Arnold unable to leave the UAE as a result of airspace closures arising from US-Israeli war against Iran
- With many embassies across the region closed as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will be unable to obtain visas they need to travel abroad for games
BEIRUT: Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years are threatened by the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iran responded to airstrikes by the US and Israel, which began on Saturday, by launching missiles and drones at a number of Gulf nations, many of which subsequently closed their airspace. Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Iraqi national team, is currently unable to leave the UAE because of this.
In addition, with many countries closing their embassies across the region as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will not be able to obtain the visas they need to travel abroad to play.
Iraq are due to play Bolivia or Suriname in the Mexican city of Monterrey on Mar. 31 in a playoff for one of the remaining qualification places for the World Cup, which will be hosted this summer by the US, Mexico and Canada.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the Iraqi team management said discussions with FIFA continue over arrangements for the playoff given recent security developments in the Middle East.
“FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation are fully aware of every development regarding our team’s situation,” it said. “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Arnold, is unable to leave the UAE.
“In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.
“We assure our loyal supporters that we remain in close contact with both FIFA and the AFC, who are keeping tabs on the situation.”
If Iraq manage to qualify, they would join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I when the competition kicks off in June.
