Freak 20-Yard Own Goal Helps Arsenal Avoid Defeat Against Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita scored a freak own goal to help Arsenal claim a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 encounter.
An unlucky deflection saw Morita beat his own keeper from 20 yards after getting in the way of an attempted Granit Xhaka pass.
Arsenal had earlier gone from 1-0 up to 2-1 down in Lisbon.
Hidemasa Morita pictured playing for Sporting Lisbon against Arsenal
IMAGO/@guelbergoes
William Saliba headed the Gunners in front from a Fabio Vieira corner kick midway through the first half.
Some indecisive goalkeeping from Matt Turner then allowed Goncalo Inacio to level from a Sporting corner in the 34th minute.
Sporting went ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Paulinho netted from a rebound after Turner had blocked a shot from Pedro Goncalves.
Then came Arsenal's bizarre equalizer.
Sporting were almost saved by a VAR review as officials pondered whether Bukayo Saka had committed a foul in the build-up to Morita's OG.
But, after a long check, the goal was given.
The second leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on March 16.
