Arsenal vs FC Zurich Europa League final score and result as Gunners top group - live
Arsenal 1-0 FC Zurich: Kieran Tierney’s thunderbolt ensured the Gunners win Group A to advance to the last 16
Kieran Tierney was the unlikely match-winner as Arsenal beat FC Zurich to progress from their Europa League group in first place and avoid a potentially tricky knockout round play-off tie.
The Gunners needed to match the result of Group A rivals PSV Eindhoven to secure top-spot and Tierney’s fine finish was just enough to see off a spirited Zurich side 1-0.
PSV won away to Bodo/Glimt so a victory at the Emirates Stadium was required as Mikel Arteta’s side - showing seven changes from the 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday - failed to fire.
But, after Manchester United had only been able to seal second place in their group earlier in the evening, the win means Arsenal will avoid the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla as they receive a bye into the round of 16.
Relive the action as Arsenal beat FC Zurich in the Europa League:
Kieran Tierney scores as Arsenal top Europa League group with nervy win over Zurich
Kieran Tierney was the unlikely match-winner as Arsenal beat FC Zurich to progress from their Europa League group in first place and avoid a potentially tricky knockout round play-off tie.
The Gunners needed to match the result of Group A rivals PSV Eindhoven to secure top-spot and Tierney’s fine finish was just enough to see off a spirited Zurich side 1-0.
PSV won away to Bodo/Glimt so a victory at the Emirates Stadium was required as Mikel Arteta’s side – showing seven changes from the 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday – failed to fire.
But, after Manchester United had only been able to seal second place in their group earlier in the evening, the win means Arsenal will avoid the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Sevilla as they receive a bye into the round of 16.
Kieran Tierney scores as Arsenal top Europa League group with nervy win over Zurich
Arsenal 1-0 FC Zurich: The left-back struck in the first half before the Gunners had to hold firm late on
Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Arsenal do enough to go through top of the group. In truth it was a game low on quality for the most part, but Arteta won’t mind too much given the context.
As long as matters improve for the big weekend league game, of course.
Manchester United forced to settle for Europa League play-off despite win at Real Sociedad
Manchester United face a tough Europa League knockout round play-off tie after failing to build on teenager Alejandro Garnacho’s outstanding opener and beat Real Sociedad by a two-goal margin.
Both sides were already assured of progress from Group E ahead of the San Sebastian showdown, but September’s shock Old Trafford defeat to the La Liga side meant United travelled to Spain in second spot.
Garnacho’s superb goal got the Red Devils off to a dream start as they sought to usurp the hosts, but they struggled in the second half as Sociedad held tight for a 1-0 loss that means they top the group on goal difference.
Erik ten Hag’s runners-up will now have to play an extra round in mid-February against a side dropping out of the Champions League, with Barcelona, Juventus and his former club Ajax among the potential opponents.
Man Utd forced to settle for Europa League play-off despite win at Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad 0-1 Manchester United: Alejandro Garnacho scored the only goal of the game in Spain
Full time - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
The whistle goes and a clean sheet does the job nicely - that, plus Tierney’s strike, means Arsenal top the group.
PSV won 2-1 in the end so the victory was crucial. The Dutch team will play the play-off in the new year.
90+4’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Arsenal just about there. Nketiah can’t reach a header properly, then Ramsdale has to meet another low cross.
Gabriel is booked for ...winning a header? That’s what it looks like. And there’s one last chance for Zurich to smash it into the air and into the box.
In it goes...and a bullet header from Katic goes over the bar! Was offside anyway to be honest.
90+1’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Five minutes added on and we’re into that now.
Most of that is probably for Aliti, who seemed to have about a dozen different facial injuries across the match. Tierney is now down in a heap too after being stood on.
PSV still 2-0 up so the Gunners very much have to see this match out.
89’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Tomiyasu is going back off - looks like he has picked up an injury. A concern for Japan as well as Arsenal, with the World Cup so close. On comes Cedric.
Last minute of the 90 now. Odegaard is trying to encourage his team to play higher but it’s not happening for Arsenal - they cannot keep hold of it.
A curled cross into the Gunners’ box almost causes real problems but two flying yellow shirts can’t get on the end of it.
84’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Tierney hooks in a cross but it’s aimless and easily cleared. Nelson wins a corner and takes it himself, but again there’s no connection.
Looking more and more like Arsenal will have to hold firm at the other end rather than find a second goal.
Conde replaced by Krasniqi for the final few.
80’ - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich
Stop-start ending to the game and it’s suiting the visitors more than Arsenal.
Viunnyk turns two defenders and rockets in a strike from the edge of the box - he has beaten Ramsdale, but also just beat the top corner. It flies just over.
Nketiah is furious he’s not given a free-kick at the other end but the ref isn’t interested.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments