Football

Ethan Nwaneri’s Stunning Strike Seals Arsenal’s Comeback Win, Securing Last-16 Spot

Arsenal qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-1 comeback win against Girona, finishing as the third-placed team in the league phase, hence avoiding the playoff stage. Mikel Arteta's side controlled most of the match, only to go down in the 28th minute when Arnaut Danjuma exposed debut goalkeeper Neto's poor positioning. Arsenal responded quickly, as Jorginho converted a penalty a little later after Arnau Martinez fouled Thomas Partey. One fleeting diamond from Ethan Nwaneri gave the hosts the winner from the edge of the box. Girona missed out on an equalizer, and while Cristhian Stuani thought he had pulled one back, VAR intervened to disallow the goal due to an offside in the buildup. Arsenal almost added a third one when Leandro Trossard hit the crossbar, and Raheem Sterling's stoppage-time penalty was saved by Pau Lopez.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: 1
Champions League 2𓆉024-25: Arsenal players applaud the fans at the end of the m♎atch | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal players applaud the fans at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match betwee♑n G🎐irona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.

2/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: 2
Champions League 2024-25: Girona 𝄹players applaud the fans at the end𒈔 of the match | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Girona players applaud the fans at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between G💃irona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montili❀vi in Girona, Spain.

3/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Cristhian Stuani
Champions League 2024-25: Girona's Cristhian Stuani is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Girona's Cristhian Stuani, centre right, is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Monti♊livi in Girona, Spain.

4/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Raheem Sterling
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Raheem Sterling shoots against Girona | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal's Raheem Sterling, centre, shoots during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Gir𒅌ona, Spain.

5/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Leandro Trossard
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Leandro Trossard is challenged by Girona's Jhon Solis | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal's Lean❀dro Trossard, right, is challenged by Girona's Jhon Solis during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Ars💟enal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.

6/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Ethan Nwaneri
Champions League 2024-25: Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring his side's second goal | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champ🃏ions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.

7/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Jorginho
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's Jorginho scores his side's first goal | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal's Jorginho, right, scores his side's first goal with a penalty kick during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona an꧟d Arsenal at the 🍎Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.

8/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Arnaut Danjuma
Champions League 2024-25: Girona's Arnaut Danjuma runs with the ball | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Girona's Arnaut Danjuma, centre, runs with the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Giro🦋na and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.

9/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: 3
Cha🗹mpions Le🀅ague 2024-25: Girona players celebrate after the opening goal | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Girona players celebrate after Arnaut Danjuma scored the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase socce🅷r match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Sp♛ain.

10/10
UEFA Champions League soccer Girona Vs Arsenal match photo: Mikel Arteta
Champions League 2024-25: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta waits for the start the match | Photo: AP/Joan Monfort

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta waits for ♍the start of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Girona and Arsenal at the Estadi Montilivi in Giro𓆉na, Spain.

CLOSE