Olympiakos Arsenal

El-Arabi nets extra time winner, Man U advance

Paris, Feb. 28: Youssef El-Arabi scored in the last minute of extra-time to give Olympiakos a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night when four former European champions were eliminated.

Ajax, Celtic, Benfica and Porto went out but Manchester United hardly broke sweat.

Arsenal had won the first leg of the Round of 32 tie 1-0 in Greece. Defender Pape Abou Cisse cancelled out that advantage.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put them back in front with a spectacular flying kick. However, in the final minute of extra time, Arsenal cleared an Olympiakos corner but were still disorganised when the ball was swung back into the area. The cross found El Arabi free in front of goal for an unchallenged shot.

But there was still time for one last chance for Arsenal, and it fell to its most lethal striker Aubameyang in the third and final minute of stoppage time. However, the captain shot wide from a central position at the edge of the six-yard box with the goal at his mercy.

At the Old Trafford, Manchester United blanked Club Brugge 5-0 to make the next stage.

Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead with a penalty after Deli’s flying save. Odion Ighalo, making his first start, hit his first goal for the club in the 34th minute. For the Nigerian, who says United were his childhood club, it was a moment to celebrate, but the emotion was mixed. Ighalo lifted his shirt to reveal a picture of his sister Mary Atole who died suddenly at her home in Canada in December. Ighalo also has her name stitched into his boots.

Scott McTominay and Fred, with two late goals, completed the rout.

Inter Milan booked their ticket to the Europa League Last 16 with a 2-1 win on the night and 4-1 on aggregate over Bulgarian club Ludogorets to deafening silence, playing behind closed doors. —