Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Karl Matchett
Thursday 03 November 2022 18:19 EDT
Comments
I'm happy at Arsenal says Arteta - amid links made to Barcelona

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:

HT - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Real Sociedad not quite sure how they’re not level at the break and nor is the competition’s Twitter account.

Fine reaction stop by De Gea, if slightly inadvertent.

His heroics and Garnacho’s finish are the difference at the interval.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:40

HT - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

There’s the half-time whistle and it’s job half-done for United.

They lead, they are ahead by one and need to do exactly the same in the second 45 to claim top spot.

For La Real, they need to be far less wasteful - they have had chances themselves.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:35

44’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

De Gea with two massive saves! The first is actually a weak palm away which leaves him in big trouble as Marin follows up - but somehow the United keeper stretches again, dives low and gets his head to the ball as the shot comes in, diverting the ball over the bar.

Incredible second stop!

A VAR check is going on for a handball penalty but it’s a nonsense - the only arm involved was a Sociedad one anyway.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:31

41’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Almost a good moment for the home team as Marin gets into a shooting position, but he scuffs his effort straight into De Gea’s arms.

Up the other end and it surely has to be 2-0 as Ronaldo races through and is gifted a chance to lob the keeper - but sends his effort over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Nowhere near as clinical as Garnacho was at the other end!

(Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:29

37’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

A scrappy phase of the game over the last 15 minutes or so, in truth. United doing enough to frustrate their hosts and bide their time on the break; La Real not quite able to find a killer pass in the final third.

Shaw is spoken to by the ref after a foul - the official is being a bit fussy so far.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:26

32’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Real Sociedad trying to force the issue in attack a little bit more but it’s less-refined in the final third than they need it to be.

Sorloth twice fails to find his feet in time when the ball breaks his way - and in the meantime, United look a real threat on the break.

Garnacho again leads a counter and links with Shaw this time, but the eventual cross is cleared.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:22

28’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Fernandes sprays a pass out left and Garnacho is again lively with an eye for goal - but this time he checks inside his marker and curls a shot off-target.

Rico is unhappy that Casemiro studded him in a thigh moments earlier in an aerial challenge, but it was accidental.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:14

24’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Mikel Merino is down and needing treatment after falling very heavily - seemed to injure his shoulder when he landed.

He’s staying on for now - for those of you with an eye on the World Cup and players going down injured before it, he has made 11 appearances for Spain but hasn’t been in a squad since last year. Probably only a fringe option at this stage for Luis Enrique.

The midfielder comes back on after treatment and immediately goes down again as the ball is walloped into him from about three yards away.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:12

20’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

So, as it stands...all level at the top on points, head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference and even goals scored.

But Real Sociedad have the edge on overall group difference, the next decider. One more for United from this point would change that.

Merino surges forward and strikes from range but Lindelof deflects it behind.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:07

GOAL! 17’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

What a finish!

Ronaldo plays a pass inside the full-back and Garnacho is onto it first, his speed gets him away from the defender and then he fires in a left-footed shot over Remiro’s head and into the roof of the net!

United lead in San Sebastian.

Karl Matchett3 November 2022 18:05

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in