Real Betis 0 v Man United 1 (1-5 Aggregate)
MARCUS Rashford was on target again as Manchester United cruised into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a clinical win at Real Betis.
After an open first half Rashford put United ahead in the 55th minute with a thunderous long-range effort dipping into the bottom corner.
The hosts had created plenty of chances before United opened the scoring as Betis’ Joaquin saw his early curled effort hit the outside of the post.
Erik ten Hag’s side had done the hard work in Manchester last week and advanced as 5-1 winners on aggregate.
Rashford’s impressive form continues. Since club football resumed following the World Cup, he has scored 19 goals in 24 appearances.
The 25-year-old is already in his most productive season in front of goal and remains the highest scorer in the Europa League with six goals from eight matches.
His latest finish came from United’s first shot on target. Earlier the Red Devils had hit the post through a Facundo Pellistri effort just before half-time.
Once they went in front, a second seemed inevitable, but Marcel Sabitzer, Jadon Sancho and Wout Weghorst all failed to convert good openings, while 21-year-old Pellistri continued to impress driving United forward on his first competitive start for the club.
Arsenal Crash Out
Arsenal 1 v Sporting Lisbon 1 (3-3 Aggregate – 3-5 penalty shoot out)
Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage in a penalty shootout defeat by Sporting Lisbon at Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel Martinelli’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Adan before Nuno Santos netted the winner to spark celebrations among Sporting’s players at full-time following an eventful and entertaining tie.
A sensational long-range chip by Pedro Goncalves from 46 yards forced extra time after Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka had earlier pounced on a rebound for the opener.
Arsenal defender Gabriel came agonisingly close twice in the final minutes of extra time when his header was tipped over the bar, and then he had an effort cleared off the goalline.
Sporting’s Manuel Ugarte was also sent off after a dangerous sliding tackle on Bukayo Saka minutes before their shootout victory.
There were chances throughout in this frenetic second leg as Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard hit the post in extra time when he was gifted possession and ran through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only for Adan to touch it onto the woodwork.
Sporting forward Marcus Edwards, previously at Tottenham, was also denied by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale minutes after Goncalves made it 1-1 in normal time.