Rui Borges left the Emirates Stadium with “infinite pride” despite Sporting CP’s Champions League elimination against Arsenal in the last eight.
Sporting held Arsenal to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s second leg, though Mikel Arteta’s side progressed as 1-0 aggregate winners, thanks to Kai Havertz’s last-gasp winner in the team’s first meeting in Lisbon.
Sporting have now failed to score in eight of their 10 knockout-stage matches in the competition, only netting one goal in five away games in these rounds.
But head coach Borges pointed to his side’s achievement, having ran Arsenal close and almost found a vital opener when Geny Catamo struck the woodwork on the stroke of half-time.
“I can’t say it hurts. It’s an infinite pride in the team’s ability and personality,” he said to Sport TV.
“In both games, I think we were superior to Arsenal, very honestly. They ended up being lucky to score a late goal [in the first leg], which allowed them to go through.
“For everything we did, I think we were better. Clear opportunities, the personality we showed in both games, in this extraordinary atmosphere.
“Pride is the right word to define this whole journey, this group. They deserved more, but we leave with our heads held high and happy about everything we were capable of.”
Orgulho na nossa caminhada, Leões pic.twitter.com/ckz5nFEmls
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) April 15, 2026
At 1-0 on aggregate, this was the joint-lowest scoring two-legged quarter-final tie in the Champions League, and the lowest since Manchester City beat Atletico Madrid by the same score on aggregate in 2021-22.
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in eight of their 12 European games this season, more than any other side in the Champions League, and Borges pointed to their defensive brilliance.
He added: “We’re talking about an extraordinary defensive line.
“Arsenal has great players in defence, tough ones, but the best opportunities in both games belonged to Sporting.”
Sporting are the 10th consecutive Portuguese club to fail to progress from a Champions League quarter-final tie, since eventual winners Porto eliminated Lyon in 2003-04.
English opponents have accounted for six of those 10 eliminations, though Borges felt his side deserved more as he reiterated his pride.
“Very honestly, I think I couldn’t ask for more. It’s an infinite source of pride, and I’m very happy,” he continued.
“Of course, we were sad because we really wanted to advance and continue to make history for Sporting, but other years will come. And Sporting will earn more and more respect.”
