Matt Turner Mistake Costs Arsenal Goal After American Keeper Makes Rare Start Against Sporting

American goalkeeper Matt Turner made a mistake that cost Arsenal a goal during Thursday's UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg against Sporting Lisbon.

Matt Turner made a mistake that cost Arsenal a goal during Thursday's UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg against Sporting Lisbon.

The USMNT goalkeeper was making the seventh appearance of his Gunners career. He had kept four clean sheets in his first six games.

But he was beaten by a Goncalo Inacio header from a Marcus Edwards corner kick in the 34th minute on Thursday.

Turner was let down by his poor positioning.

He initially came off his line as if he was going to catch the cross, but he hesitated and then began to retreat milliseconds before Inacio made contact with the ball.

Gonçalo Inácio draws Sporting level with a header of his own! 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/jgDvFtSdAn

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 9, 2023

Matt Turner (no.30) conceded a goal from a Sporting Lisbon corner / CBS SPORTS

Inacio's goal leveled the score at 1-1 after William Saliba had earlier headed Arsenal in front.

Sporting nearly went 2-1 up before half-time but Turner produced a good save to deny Edwards.

The Portuguese side did move ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Paulinho netted from a rebound after Turner had blocked a shot from Pedro Goncalves.

But Arsenal salvaged a 2-2 draw courtesy of a freakish own goal.