A 1-0 aggregate scoreline sees the team miss out on the semifinals

Sporting CP's thrilling UEFA Champions League campaign came to an end in London at the hands of Arsenal, as a goalless draw with the Gunners saw Rui Borges' men eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Going into the second leg with a 1-0 deficit from the first meeting at Alvalade, the team needed to attack, and at the Emirates Stadium were up against an out of form Arsenal. Borges fielded a starting XI with three changes compared to the one used in the league game against Estrela de Amadora: Ousmane Diomande and Gonçalo Inácio returned to the defensive line, Eduardo Quaresma was moved to right-back to cover for the absence of Iván Fresneda, while in midfield Daniel Bragança gave way for the return of Hidemasa Morita to the starting lineup. The main novelty was the return of captain Morten Hjulmand after suspension.

Arsenal, without Martin Ødegaard and Riccardo Calafiori but welcoming back Piero Hincapié, Christian Mosquera and Gabriel Martinelli in their lineup, began the game with suffocating intensity, but Sporting CP were able to stifle that impetus by maintaining possession for longer periods. 

Their first chance in attack was a powerful shot from Luis Suárez that went wide, although he was later called offside.

Defensive inaccuracies opened the game up for more  opportunities, and the two teams exchanged blows successively. Neither Francisco Trincão nor Viktor Gyökeres were on target with their respective shots, and Geny Catamo only failed to score from a counter-attack because of Martinelli's defensive recovery. Inácio was also crucial in blocking what seemed like a certain goal from Gyökeres in the six-yard box.

Sporting CP had two great chances for Pedro Gonçalves, then in a pivotal moment Maxi Araújo crossed to the far post and Geny Catamo rushed in with a first-time shot, which hit the post.

The first half ended goalless, with reasons to believe in a comeback.

Right after the restart, Araújo entered the Gunners' area, cut inside and shot across goal, but the effort went just wide.

Arsenal, who hadn't threatened for some time, had an initial reaction with a long-range attempt by Eberechi Eze, saved by Rui Silva.

The current Premier League leaders brought on Kai Havertz, replacing Gyökeres, and gained new momentum, issuing a more serious warning when Noni Madueke cut in from right and shot into the side netting.

Sporting CP regained possession and approached goal, and in the 65th minute Araújo complained of a push in the back inside the area -although no penalty was given.

Shortly after, Rui Borges made changes to try and add more unpredictability to play, with the entries of Geovany Quenda and Daniel Bragança, joined by João Simões moments later.

Arsenal took advantage of the constant stop-start nature of the game to keep things under control. Sporting CP began to lack energy and solutions.

Later, the Gunners had Leandro Trossard, unmarked at the far post during a corner, head the ball against the post.

Gabriel Jesus also got into the area and shot into the side netting.

Sporting CP, driven by their belief, managed one last chance in stoppage time, with a long ball from Quenda into the area that fell to João Simões. He struck low and the ball went just wide of the post.

The 0-0 scoreline on the night was not enough to see the team through to the semi-finals, and they bowed out with their heads held high after a momentous European campaign.

Sporting CP now return home for Liga Portugal action on Sunday, as the Estádio José Alvalade hosts the derby against SL Benfica.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Eduardo Quaresma (Georgios Vagiannidis, 85’), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (João Simões, 77’), Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 71’), Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 71’), Francisco Trincão (Rafael Nel, 85’), Luis Suárez