Sevilla FC survived in St Petersburg as FC Zenit pushed the holders all the way, but a late Kevin Gameiro goal eventually sealed the holders’ place in the last four.
Bringing a 2-1 advantage into the second leg the Liga visitors stretched 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 as 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. It 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 the hosts responded before the Portuguese schemer struck the outside of the post from range on the stroke of half-time.
The home side 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. It 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 forward 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.
