Arsenal 3-2 Benfica (4-3 agg): Aubameyang saves Gunners from grim Euro exit

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounced for the goal that could save Arsenal’s season as his late header earned a 3-2 win over Benfica in Greece.

The Gunners scraped through to the Europa League last-16 stage, winning the tie 4-3 on aggregate thanks to two goals from captain Aubameyang and one from Kieran Tierney, but it was very nearly a shocker of a night for Mikel Arteta and his team.

They took the lead through Aubameyang, but Dani Ceballos then blundered twice and Diogo Goncalves and Rafa put Benfica ahead.

Kieran Tierney hit back, yet it looked as though Arsenal, the designated home team, would be eliminated on the away-goals rule until Aubameyang headed in Bukayo Saka’s cross in the 87th minute, ensuring their only realistic route into next season’s Champions League was not cut off.