sevilla survive zenit storm to make semi-finals published: thursday 23 april 2015, 23.02cet fc zenit 2-2 sevilla fc (agg: 3-4) kevin gameiro scored the decisive goal five mintues from time as the holders survived a raucous night in st petersburg to make the final four.
• late kevin gameiro goal seals semi-final place for sevilla • visitors stretch first-leg advantage through carlos bacca in sixth minute • josé rondón and hulk stunner bring tie level before gameiro's strike • sevilla's daniel carriço makes record-breaking 45th competition appearance • semi-final draw takes place in nyon from 12.00cet on friday
sevilla fc survived in st petersburg as fc zenit pushed the holders all the way until a late kevin gameiro goal eventually clinched their place in the last four.
bringing a 2-1 advantage into this quarter-final second leg, the liga visitors extended that through an early carlos bacca spot kick before josé rondón's equaliser and hulk's wonder goal which brought the tie level. the hosts pushed for the win but it was the sevilla who stole it when gameiro rifled into the corner on 85 minutes to put unai emery's men into the semi-final draw once again.
zenit had recorded victories in their last three european home games without conceding while sevilla won their last two on the road, meaning something had to give. ıt did, and early. vitolo burst into the home area only to be brought down by luís neto and bacca stroked the resulting penalty into the top corner in just the sixth minute. danny brought a sharp save from beto as andré villas-boas's team responded before the portuguese schemer struck the outside of the post from range on the stroke of half-time.
the russian premier-liga leaders got just the start they needed to the second period as beto dropped an oleg shatov cross directly into the path of rondón who had the simplest of tasks to score. ıt was all zenit for the next 15 mintues, hulk crashing a thunderbolt just a fraction wide and danny seeing a shot blocked by grzegorz krychowiak.
brazilian international hulk then lit up the evening with a remarkable second for the hosts. wide on the right and 40 metres from goal he spotted the sevilla keeper off his line and lifted the ball into the net via the underside of the bar in the 72nd minute. there looked only one winner at that stage as zenit piled on the pressure, forcing beto into outstanding saves from hulk and rondón. however, as it had been threatening to do all night, sevilla's counter punch finally landed. vitolo strode clear down the left and rolled across the edge of the area to the onrushing substitute gameiro who took his time before rattling into the corner.
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