Pedro Goncalves has handed Sporting CP a fighting chance against Arsenal after chipping Aaron Ramsdale from near the halfway line in their Europa League clash.
Sporting CP and Arsenal drew 2-2 in their first-leg round-of-16 Europa League tie in Portugal to set up a crucial second-leg clash at the Emirates on Thursday evening.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka broke the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes to put the Gunners in control of the last-16 match going into half-time.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men were stunned in the second half when Goncalves ‘channelled his inner David Beckham’ with an outrageous shot from near the halfway line.
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Arsenal were dispossessed from the ball before it was collected up by Goncalves, who charged forward into the Gunners’ half before lofting a magnificent chip.
Ramsdale was completely caught out and the Arsenal No 1 scrambled back to his net in a desperate bid to deny Goncalves.
Goncalves’ perfectly struck shot was enough to dip over a helpless Ramsdale, with Sporting CP pulling level on the scoreline and on aggregate as well.
Fans on social media were quick to draw a comparison with Manchester United legend Beckham famously scoring from the halfway line at Wimbledon in 1996.
“That’s Beckham-esque from Goncalves,” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “Wow. What an incredible goal from Pedro Goncalves. David Beckham-esque.”
A third wrote: “That was like the Beckham goal vs Wimbledon that made him a star!”
While one Twitter user posted: “I hope I don’t see random flashes of that Pedro Goncalvez goal against Arsenal for some time.”
Another added: “Goal of the season by Goncalves against Arsenal.”
And a sixth tweeted: “The Arsenal fans inside the Emirates also enjoyed the Sporting wonder goal.”
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Topics: Arsenal, Europa League, Sporting CP, Football
Adnan Riaz