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:
79’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Two big blocks by Shaw as Navarro tries to open the United defence up and give Sorloth a tap-in.
The striker then shifts the ball and shoots across the face of goal, but it’s well wide.
Up the other end, a direct pass is looking for runners from deep but Ronaldo can’t get on the end of it.
75’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
A low strike forces De Gea into another scrambled save, not a tough one but it’s still La Real pushing forward.
United need another goal in the final 15’, or they finish second.
Ronaldo tries to make room to shoot, loses the ball and commits a foul - needs to be careful after already being booked.
71’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Another booking! Ronaldo this time, for leading in an aerial challenge with his arm. He’s displeased.
RSO sub: Guevara on for Carlos Fernandez, who is also booked for leaving the pitch too slowly.
Into the final 20 minutes we go.
67’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Brais Mendez is booked now for booting the ball away after a foul is given.
He curls over another ball from deep soon after but it’s past De Gea and the runners coming in behind him.
The hosts trying to push forward again in search of a goal - the game, and the group, is on the brink as it stands.
63’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Wild tackle! Lisandro Martinez launches himself into a challenge, gets nowhere near the ball and gets cleaned out in the process, a hip to his head.
He’s booked and it’s a Real Sociedad free-kick - which is cleared.
59’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Both managers make double subs.
MUN subs: Rashford for Van de Beek, McTominay for Lindelof.
RSO subs: Gorosabel out, Elustondo in; Navarro replaces Marin.
Rashford is immediately involved in a break from deep but La Real’s defence stand firm.
54’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
A spate of crosses by United’s wide players but no real threat on the goal of Remiro.
Fernandes has been energetic and working hard down the right channel but it’s clear he wants to be central - Van de Beek, who is, makes a clever run behind the defence but his cut-back is cleared too.
Subs are afoot.
50’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Rico again is the outlet and the dangerman for Sociedad at the start of the second half.
A nice exchange of passes sees him in down the left flank but his cross is cut out and cleared behind.
Casemiro is then caught late by a challenge but should be fine to continue.
46’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Second half is underway in San Sebastian.
Former Man United defender Gerard Pique announces his retirement
Relevant to both these teams tonight in a way: Gerard Pique is set to retire after this weekend’s game.
He played for United in his young days and is of course now back with Barcelona in La Liga, a few places and points ahead of Real Sociedad.
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