Zenit St Petersburg welcomed Sevilla for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
The visitors entered the match with a slight advantage having recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg last week in Seville.
The aggregate score became 3-1 after just six minutes in Russia when Carlos Bacca scored from the penalty spot.
Zenit were level on the night after just 48 minutes, however, when Salomon Rondon converted from close range, before Hulk levelled the tie at 3-3 after 72 minutes.
Zenit pressed for a winner in normal time, but it was Sevilla that scored their second of the match after 85 minutes, with Kevin Gameiro sending the Spanish team into the next round.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Russia as Zenit St Petersburg welcome Sevilla for the second leg of their quarter-final. Sevilla won the first leg 2-1 in Spain last week, but there is still plenty to play for tonight. Let's hope for a cracking evening of football!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Russia.
TEAMS:
ZENIT: Lodygin; Criscito, Lombaerts, Neto, Smolnikov; Wistel, Garcia; Shatov, Danny, Hulk; Rondon
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Pareja, Carrico, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Mbia, Banega; Vitolo, Bacca, Vidal
So there we have it. Zenit's leading scorer this season, Hulk, returns from suspension this evening, while Domenico Criscito, Igor Smolnikov and Danny, who all also missed the first leg through suspension, are all in the XI. The hosts are without suspended duo Ezequiel Garay and Aleksandr Ryazantsev, however, who both picked up bookings last week. Salomon Rondon will lead the line for the Russian outfit.
Sevilla boss Unai Emery, meanwhile, has selected leading scorer Carlos Bacca ahead of Kevin Gameiro in what is the headline team news. Daniel Carrico is fit to start following a thigh problem, while there are also spots for Coke and Stephane Mbia. Vicente Iborra, however, is only on the bench.
As mentioned, Sevilla will enter this second leg as the slight favourites to advance following a 2-1 victory in the first leg in Seville. Aleksandr Ryazantsev gave Zenit a first-half lead in Spain, but late goals from Carlos Bacca and Denis Suarez ensured that Sevilla's stunning home record continued.
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A first-leg defeat is not what Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas would have had in mind, especially after his team took the lead at the Estadio Ramon last week. The Russian outfit scored a vital away goal, however, which should stand them in good stead as they return home for the deciding match.
The Russian outfit have won only two of their 15 European encounters with Spanish sides, but their strong home form should give them huge confidence this evening. They have won each of their last three European games on home turf and indeed not conceded a single goal in the process.
Taking that further, you have to go back to 2008 to find the last time that Zenit lost a Europa League match on home turf and that is a run that stretches 14 matches. Sevilla have won this competition on three occasions, but Zenit also know what it takes to triumph having lifted the UEFA Cup in 2008.
Must say that I am a fan of this Zenit kit. As blue as they come...
The team's locker room ahead of #ZenitSevilla pic.twitter.com/z2x4egqSfM
— FC Zenit in English (@fczenit_en) April 23, 2015
Andre Villas-Boas's side started their European campaign this season in the Champions League, but they finished third behind group winners Monaco and second-place Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, they entered the Europa League at the last-32 stage and have overcome two tricky opponents.
Zenit beat now Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven 3-0 on aggregate in the round of 32, before overcoming Italian side Torino in the last-16 stage. They lost the second leg 1-0 in Italy, but progressed after winning 2-0 on their own patch. The Russian side are yet to really make their mark in the Champions League, but more success in this particular competition would be a very good start.
Zenit are also going well in their domestic league and currently sit top of the table on 56 points – eight clear of second-place Krasnodor. That said, they will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Kuban' Krasnodar on Sunday – making it three games without a win in all competitions.
It has been a turbulent few years for Zenit, but big money spent on high-profile players has brought a successful spell. They did not win the Russian league until 1984, but they have since picked up three titles (2007, 2010 and 2012), in addition to finishing as runners-up in the last two seasons.
Sevilla, meanwhile, as mentioned, are looking to win the Europa League for the fourth time and indeed in successive seasons. The La Liga side have lifted the trophy on each occasion that they have made it to this stage and will be confident of securing another positive result this evening.
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It would be fair to say that a number of teams have struggled to balance their domestic duties with European football this season, but that has not been the case for Unai Emery's side, who are on course for another impressive campaign. The atmosphere is really starting to build tonight...
In terms of their route to this stage, Sevilla finished second behind Feyenoord in Group G, collecting 11 points from their six matches. The Spanish side then drew German opposition in the shape of Borussia Monchengladbach in the first knockout round and advanced 4-2 on aggregate.
La Liga rivals Villarreal were waiting in the final 16, but it was fairly straight-forward for Emery's side, who won 3-1 away and 2-1 at home to comfortably ease into the final eight of the competition. Notoriously, Sevilla are stronger at home than on the road, but they have won each of their last two away games in this competition – scoring six times in the process. Very impressive form indeed.
It would be fair to say that a number of teams have struggled to balance their domestic duties with European football this season, but that has not been the case for Emery's side. In La Liga, a total of 63 points from their 32 games has left them in fifth position, just two points off fourth-place Valencia.
Sevilla are also unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, but they dropped league points in a 1-1 draw with Granada at the weekend. Emery has switched around his team in both competitions this season, but they certainly have a squad strong enough to cope with the physical demands.
The first leg was the fifth time that these two sides have met in European competition. Sevilla have won two of those matches, with Zenit winning once and the further two fixtures ending in draws.
Three of those matches occurred in the 2005-06 season, when Sevilla lost away to Zenit in the group stages, before beating the Russian side 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. The last time that the pair met in Russia was April 2006, when it finished 1-1. That score this evening would be enough for Sevilla to advance into the final four. Right, both sets of players will soon join us on the field for kickoff.
PREDICTION! I just fancy Sevilla to do enough to qualify this evening. Zenit will have a lot of the ball for long spells, but I think that the visitors have enough about them to hold tight and claim a draw, which would, of course, see them advance into the next round. Score prediction: Zenit 1-1 Sevilla
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The pitch should be very quick with the rain still falling in Russia. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes of this quarter-final second leg underway. Let's hope for a cracker tonight!
It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition this evening - perfect for a game of football. Zenit forward Hulk is involved immediately as he takes control in the middle of the park, but Tremoulinas brings the Brazilian to the ground. The early exchanges between the sides will be very interesting.
Half-chance for Sevilla as a deep free kick finds Coke at the back post, but his effort bounces into the ground before the Zenit goalkeeper collects. It has been a decent start from the visitors tonight.
PENALTY SEVILLA!
BOOKING! Sevilla are awarded a penalty and Neto (Zenit) is booked for bringing Vitolo to the ground inside the box. Not sure that there was much contact, but it was a lunge from the defender!
GOAL! Zenit 0-1 Sevilla (Bacca, pen)
It is a cracking penalty from Bacca, who fires his effort into the top corner. The Colombian looked supremely confident approaching the ball and simply hammered past Lodgyin, who stood no chance.
Zenit now need to score at least twice to stay in this tie. It has been a lacklustre start from the Russian outfit and they have been made to pay. It is just vital that Zenit find a quick response in this game.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Shatov turns outside the Sevilla box, but his effort is blocked by Carrico. Sevilla have such pace on the counter, with Vitolo and Vidal capable of breezing past the Zenit defence. Villas-Boas will need the likes of Hulk to come to the forefront this evening.
Hulk tries his luck from outside the box, but the striker's effort was always moving wide of the post.
Just a reminder that we can still have extra-time this evening, but the score would have to be 2-1 Zenit at the end of 90 minutes, which is certainly not impossible. We have not seen too much of Sevilla since they took the lead, with Zenit and particularly Hulk forcing the issue in the final third.
Pareja does not look at all comfortable for Sevilla here as the centre-back goes down and stays there. There is real concern that the visitors will need to make a change, which is hardly ideal at this stage.
Pareja appeared to turn his ankle in a challenge with Rondon. A change might well be needed.
Sevilla have just managed to regain some control in the last couple of minutes, with Coke making good ground down the right. Zenit have been very sloppy in possession thus far this evening.
CHANCE! First real chance for the home side as Danny drives into the Sevilla box before attempting to beat Beto, but the Portuguese goalkeeper is down to make a smart save at his near post.
You just get the feeling that Zenit need to score the next goal this evening if they are to stand a chance of progressing. A second goal for Sevilla would place the visitors in such a strong position.
Rondon has started to feature in the last couple of minutes, but the home side's latest attack comes to a close when the striker is ruled offside. It is an open game at the moment, with both teams prepared to commit players in the final third. Sevilla are going to have to make their first change of the night.
SUB! Iborra replaces the injured Pareja. Carrico back to centre-back I presume.
Sevilla have the ball in the back of the net as Vidal converts from close range, but the whistle had already been blown, with Vitolo handling inside the box. The visitors still lead 1-0 on the night here.
Danny tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still plenty of time for Zenit to turn this quarter-final around in Russia.
Another half-chance for Zenit as Lombaerts meets a corner from Hulk, but his header was always rising over the crossbar. Moments later, Hulk sets up Danny, but Carrico is on hand to clean up.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of minutes, but they are really struggling to create clear opportunities, which is already causing frustration with the supporters. Just a reminder that as it stands, Zenit need two goals without reply to level this quarter-final. It is far from over.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the away side to score a second on the counter as Vidal drives into the Zenit box, but at the final moment, Lombaerts is across to make a stunning challenge.
Sevilla threaten once again from a corner, but Banega's delivery is cleared at the near post. Zenit are down the other end moments later, but Shatov cannot run away from Tremoulinas down the left.
Banega tries his luck for Sevilla after finding a yard of space outside the Zenit box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Russia.
Sevilla are putting in the perfect away performance at the moment as they remain tight at the back and look threatening each time they break forward. It is the perfect plan for Emery's side tonight.
It has not really happened for Hulk thus far this evening and another move breaks down when the Brazilian fails to slide a pass into Witsel. Sevilla break immediately down the other end, but Vitolo's pass is cut out at the final moment. End-to-end football in the last few moments, but no goals.
BOOKING! Witsel (Zenit) is booked for a late challenge on Iborra.
Half-chance for the home side as Shatov drives into the Sevilla box before squaring into Rondon, but the striker cannot control and Sevilla scramble clear. Important final minutes of the first half here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a second as Bacca rounds Lodygin in a wide area before attempting to score from a tight angle, but Lombaerts is across to make the block.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Zenit to level as a deep free kick from Danny causes all sorts of problems inside the box, but Rondon cannot make proper contact and the danger is cleared.
POST! Zenit come close once again, but Danny's low effort strikes the outside of the post!
Plenty happening in the latter stages of this first period, but still just the one goal tonight.
HALF-TIME: Zenit 0-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sevilla leading 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. The only goal of the half came after just six minutes, when Bacca scored from the penalty spot. Zenit have had chances to respond, but thus far been unable to make the breakthrough.
STATS! Zenit have dominated the possession with 64%, but they have only managed one attempt on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have had six attempts in total - three of which have been on target. There have also been a number of feisty challenges, with two bookings already issued.
BENCH WATCH! There will surely become a point where Zenit boss Villas-Boas looks to his bench this evening and the Portuguese has attacking options in the shape of Arshavin, Kerzhakov and Sheydaev. Sevilla, meanwhile, have already made one change this evening, with Iborra replacing the injured Pareja, but the Spanish side still have the likes of Gameiro, Reyes and Suarez in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Zenit find a route back into this tie? They have some of work to do! The home side get the second half underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 minutes or so.
Early opportunity for Bacca to score a second for Sevilla, but the Colombian is just challenged by Neto at the final moment. Down the other end, Rondon delivers a searching cross into the arms of Beto.
GOAL! Zenit 1-1 Sevilla (Rondon)
Oh my word! Zenit are level on the night as Rondon converts from close range after a horror piece of goalkeeping from Beto, who failed to collect a deep cross from Shatov and consequently allowed the Zenit forward to fire home. It will have to go down as a major error from the experienced stopper!
What the goal means is that Zenit need just one more to level this tie 3-3 on aggregate.
Surely Sevilla cannot afford to just sit back and defend their one-goal advantage, but that is what has occurred since Rondon scored. Beto makes another clanger as he fails to collect a loose strike from Rondon, but the offside flag is raised. What on earth is the Sevilla goalkeeper playing at tonight!
Smolnikov tries his luck for the home side, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. It is simply one-way traffic at the moment, with Zenit making all of the moves in the final third.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Zenit to take the lead on the night as Hulk finds all sorts of space inside the Sevilla box, but his powerful effort is just over the crossbar. Sevilla are struggling!
Poor from Beto here...
48' Rondon following up every ball, evens the score with his perseverance. #ZenitSevilla pic.twitter.com/8TRwgwBRNp
— FC Zenit in English (@fczenit_en) April 23, 2015
Sevilla have a rare chance to threaten in this second period as Banega delivers a corner towards the far post, but Lodygin comes out a long way to collect. Zenit have their tails up as they break forward, but Iborra steps across to clear the danger. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in Russia.
Half-chance for Zenit as Danny drives into the Sevilla box before striking towards goal, but Krychowiak is on hand to make a super block. Surely we will have some more goals in this one.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to score a second as Vidal finds Bacca inside the Zenit box, but Neto is across at the vital moment to make a block. What an opportunity!
CHANCE! Another Sevilla opportunity as Zenit goalkeeper Lodygin fails to collect a corner and the ball falls for Coke, but his effort is blocked at the final moment. All happening here!
Neto looks in a spot of bother for Zenit as the centre-back goes down and stays there.
Neto is back on his feet and appears fit to continue. Still no movement on either bench, but both managers may well be thinking about changes at this stage. Can Zenit find another goal here?
The pace of this match is quite incredible as the play continues to flow from end-to-end. Danny delivers a super ball into Rondon, but the forward cannot collect and Krychowiak is across to clear.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Beto takes too long to clear a back-pass and is charged down by Rondon, but luckily for Sevilla, the goalkeeper's kick hits the forward and drops wide of the post.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Zenit as Hulk finds space in a wide area, but his low effort just flashes wide of the far post. The pressure from the home side is intense at the moment!
Banega shows wonderful feet in the middle of the park to evade three challengers, before finding Vidal in the Zenit half and the winger does well to gain a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the near post, but Rondon is across ahead of Iborra. Good spell for the visitors at the moment.
Has not quite happened for this man thus far...
64' Hulk nearly missing the far post! #ZenitSevilla pic.twitter.com/CTBWjlTYG0
— FC Zenit in English (@fczenit_en) April 23, 2015
Smolnikov again breaks forward for the home side and wins a corner, but Iborra is on hand to clear the delivery from Hulk. Little under 20 minutes of normal time remaining and Zenit need a goal.
GOAL! Zenit 2-1 Sevilla (Hulk)
What was I saying about Hulk?! The Brazilian levels this tie at 3-3 as his long-range effort beats Beto, who had flapped at the ball. Rondon was on hand to make sure, but Hulk's effort was over the line!
Again, that was awful goalkeeping from Beto! Hulk's effort was over the line, but he palmed it straight down into Rondon, who made sure. Little over 15 minutes remaining and it is all Zenit now!
SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
SAVE! Hulk comes close to rattling another one into the top corner, but this time Beto is on hand to make a super save. Sevilla are really struggling as the home side press forward here!
SAVE! Beto is again on hand to deny Shatov as Zenit smother Sevilla!
BOOKING! Iborra (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Garcia.
Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining, but as it stands, we are heading for extra-time. Zenit have another half-chance through Rondon, but his effort is deflected just wide of the post.
Lombaerts attacks a near-post corner from Hulk, but his header is high of the crossbar.
Sevilla have just managed to settle in the last minute or two, but they are struggling in the final third. It is difficult to look past Zenit at this stage as they remain heavily on the front foot on home soil.
CHANCE! Another incredible chance for the home side as Hulk picks out Rondon inside the box, but the forward's effort is smothered by Beto. What an opportunity for the Russian outfit!
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Shatov.
SUB! Zenit make their first change as Kerzhakov replaces Rondon.
Danny has another shot blocked as Sevilla desperately defend their own box. Beto makes another mistake moments later, but manages to clear behind for a corner. Goalkeeper, tut tut tut!
GOAL! Zenit 2-2 Sevilla (Gameiro)
Would you believe it? Zenit have been battering Sevilla, but the away side go down the other end and score as Gameiro finds the bottom corner from inside the box. Goodness gracious me!
Football ay?! Can you believe it? The home supporters can't! Just incredible scenes here!
Beto is down receiving treatment here, which is going to add more minutes to stoppage time!
Zenit need two more goals to make it through. Two more and we are in the 89th minute!
This is threatening to boil over as Beto continues to receive treatment, which is not going down well with the home players. That is very understandable as well. There is going to be a lot of added time.
We are into the first of five added minutes in Russia. I thought it would be more than that!
Sevilla are on the front foot at the moment, with Gameiro, as he always does, making an impact. The frustration is obvious for Zenit, who are chasing around and making late challenges here.
SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Suarez replaces Vitolo.
Zenit just cannot keep the ball at the moment and Sevilla are looking the most likely to add to the scoring. The Europa League winners are going to make it through to the semi-finals this evening.
Half-chance for Sevilla to score a fourth, but Banega hits the side netting from a tight angle.
BOOKING! Lodygin (Zenit) is booked for dissent.
Half-chance for Mbia to score a third for Sevilla, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper.
FULL-TIME: Zenit 2-2 Sevilla (Sevilla win 4-3 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings this incredible game to a close with Sevilla booking their spot in the semi-finals courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate victory. Super game in Russia, with the score finishing 2-2 on the night. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for all the action. Good evening!
