Sevilla travelled to Shakhtar Donetsk for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
The away side took a sixth-minute lead through Vitolo, but it was Shakhtar that entered the half-time break with the advantage courtesy of goals from Marlos and Taras Stepanenko.
Kevin Gameiro levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, however, to hand the visitors an advantage ahead of the second leg in Seville next week.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.03pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Ukraine as Shakhtar Donetsk welcome Sevilla for the first leg of their semi-final. Nothing will be decided here ahead of the second leg in Seville next week, but both will be keen to secure a positive result tonight!
6.06pmKickoff this evening is not actually until 8.05pm UK time, but be sure to remain with me for all of the build-up and indeed the team news, which is expected to land at around 7pm. It will be interesting to see who is in and who is out for both of these sides, who are meeting for the first time since 2007.
6.09pmIndeed, Juande Ramos's Sevilla overcome Shakhtar in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup round of 16 on their way to winning the competition for the first time. That, however, only tells half the story. After a 2-2 draw in Spain, Sevilla stopper Andres Palop scored late on to make it 2-2 in the return leg in Ukraine, before Ernesto Chevanton won it for the Spanish outfit in extra-time. It was some tie!
6.13pmShakhtar will be out for revenge tonight, but they will start as the underdogs against a Sevilla team that love this competition. Indeed, the Spanish outfit won the UEFA Cup/Europa League for a record fourth time last season and are chasing a third straight success in this particular competition.
© Getty Images
6.16pmIn terms of Shakhtar's European record against Spanish opposition, the Ukrainian outfit have lost 12 of their 19 meetings and only recorded four wins in the process. That particular run includes five defeats at home and six in Spain and also included a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2009 Super Cup.
6.20pmSevilla, on the other hand, are unbeaten in five meetings with Ukrainian clubs – recording four wins in the process. Indeed, they beat Shakhtar's domestic rivals Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in last season's final to claim the trophy once again. The fact that the second leg is back in Spain also hands Sevilla an advantage over the two matches, placing more importance on Shakhtar's performance tonight.
6.23pm
Darijo Srna (134) and Mircea Lucescu (212) are the most experienced player and coach among #UEL semi-finalists. pic.twitter.com/YONLZnjsA8
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 28, 2016
6.26pmOf the eight teams that dropped into the Europa League from the Champions League this season, only Shakhtar and Sevilla remain in contention. Villarreal and Liverpool, the other two semi-finalists, have had to fight their way through the groups stages and beyond and there has been criticism of the rule allowing teams to drop into the Europa. Incidentally, Liverpool visit Villarreal in tonight's other semi-final.
6.29pmThis is Shakhtar's first semi-final appearance in Europe's second competition since they won the final edition of the UEFA Cup in 2009. In fact, of the four semi-finalists, Shakhtar are the only team to have not reached this stage of the Europa League, which is a surprise due to their strength in recent seasons.
6.33pmShakhtar had to beat Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and Austrian side Rapid Vienna in the early rounds of this season's Champions League to make the group stages and they were ultimately drawn into Group A alongside Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Malmo.
6.36pmIn truth, it was always going to be a tough ask to qualify ahead of either Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain and it did not come as surprise when those two finished first and second respectively and Shakhtar finished in third spot. In fact, the Ukrainian side only won one of their six group matches, but finished ahead of a poor Malmo side on goal difference to secure Europa League action.
6.40pmShakhtar were paired with Schalke 04 in the first knockout round and a 3-0 victory in the first leg helped them progress 3-0 on aggregate. Anderlecht were the team waiting in the round of 16 and again it was comfortable for Shakhtar, who made the final eight courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate score.
© AFP
6.43pmShakhtar managed to avoid a number of big European clubs in the quarter-finals and were instead drawn with Portuguese club Sporting Braga, who were dispatched 6-1 on aggregate – including a 4-0 victory in this stadium. In truth, Shakhtar have not really been tested in the Europa League this season, but they will need to beat a strong Sevilla side to advance to the final this time around.
6.47pmIn terms of overall form, Shakhtar will enter this match off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They drew 1-1 at Chornomorets in the Ukrainian top flight at the weekend, which kept them in second position in the table after 23 matches of the campaign.
6.50pmMircea Lucescu's side are 11 points clear of third-place Dnipro, but they trail the leaders Dynamo Kiev by seven points. They finished second last season and it does appear that they will end the campaign as runners-up once again as they chase their first league title since 2014.
6.53pmShakhtar actually won the Ukrainian top flight on five straight occasions from 2010 to 2014, but they look set to miss out for a second successive season due to the strength of Dynamo Kiev, who have incredibly won 21 of their 23 league games this season and lost just once.
6.57pmAt the age of 70, Shakhtar boss Lucescu is comfortably the most experienced manager left in the competition. The Romanian has led Shakhtar since 2004 and has won eight league titles with the Ukrainian club and five Ukrainian Cups. Incredibly, he has a win rate of almost 70% in all competitions, but that drops to 46% when running through his European record with the Miners.
© Getty Images
7pmTEAMS:
SHAKHTAR DONETSK: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Malyshev, Stepanenko, Kovalenko; Marlos, Ferreyra, Taison
SEVILLA: Soria; Mariano, Rami, Carrico, Escudero; N'Zonzi, Krychowiak; Konoplyanka, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
7.03pmNo real surprises in the Shakhtar XI tonight, with Fred missing out through suspension and Azevedo out of action with a knee problem. Marlos, Facundo Ferreyra and Taison all start in the final third, while the experienced Darijo Srna is in at right-back. Brazilians Wellington Nem and Bernard make the bench.
7.07pmAs for Sevilla, Benoit Tremoulinas and Jose Antonio Reyes miss out through injury, but Vitolo has overcome a hamstring problem to start. There is also a spot in the XI for Yevhen Konoplyanka on his return to Ukraine, while Kevin Gameiro leads the attack ahead of Fernando Llorente, who is once again left on the bench. Vicente Iborra is also among the away side's replacements.
7.10pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 50 minutes from kickoff on this cold night in Lviv. I have already discussed the home side in detail; so let's move on to Sevilla, who are attempting to become the first team since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win three consecutive editions of a major UEFA competition. It would be some achievement for the Spanish outfit.
7.13pmLike Shakhtar, Sevilla started this season in the Champions League and they advanced straight into the group stages courtesy of their Europa League success last term. It was a tough group for Emery's side, who were drawn alongside Man City, Juventus and Borussia Monchengladbach.
7.16pmMan City and Juventus were the two favourites to advance and that was indeed the case, with the pair finishing first and second respectively. Sevilla lost four of their six group matches, but did manage two wins, which saw them finish third, one point above fourth-place Gladbach.
© Getty Images
7.19pmSevilla therefore dropped into the Europa League and were drawn alongside Molde in the round of 32. The Spanish side lost the second leg 1-0 away from home, but a 3-0 victory in the first leg at the Estadio Ramon saw them advance to the round of 16, where they met Swiss side Basel.
7.22pmBasel held Emery's side to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Switzerland, but it was a similar story from the previous round as Sevilla won 3-0 on home turf to continue their journey. They were bound to meet domestic opposition at some point and that came in the shape of Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao in what proved to be a classic European tie between the two impressive La Liga teams.
7.25pm
Inside @SevillaFC's boot box..!#UEL pic.twitter.com/bES6CCUL0W
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 28, 2016
7.28pmSevilla actually recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg away from home and although Bilbao responded with a 2-1 win at the Estadio Ramon, it was Sevilla that came through on penalties following extra-time. While Shakhtar have had a fairly straightforward route, Sevilla have had to dig deep.
7.32pmSevilla's 2-1 success at Bilbao in the quarter-finals was actually their first away win in Europe all season. They have been beaten on four of their seven trips and will be wary of suffering a poor result tonight. The Spanish outfit are very strong at home, but they cannot afford to get heavily beaten here.
7.35pmHere are some pre-match thoughts from Sevilla attacker Konoplyanka, speaking to UEFA.com: "Shakhtar are a good team, a technical one. In general, I believe that two top sides are meeting. We'd be better to meet in the final - it would be more interesting. I came here to beat Shakhtar. The boys have not seen Ukraine and they want to see the places of interest. I told them that Lviv is a beautiful city, I of course know it very well." Not sure Sevilla's main focus is the scenery tonight though!
7.38pm
Will the focus again be on Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna tonight? #UEL pic.twitter.com/jQ19kG6gX1
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 28, 2016
7.42pmIn terms of recent form, Sevilla will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Real Betis in La Liga at the weekend. That result moved Emery's side onto 52 points for the season, but they are five points off fifth-place Celta Vugo and now nine off fourth-place Villarreal with just three games left.
7.45pmAs a result, Sevilla are going to need to win this competition once again in order to play in the group stages of the Champions League next season. Ultimately, it has been a pretty disappointing La Liga campaign for the Seville outfit, who have lost 11 of their 35 fixtures to date.
7.48pmSevilla are only three points behind sixth-place Bilbao, however, and have two very winnable matches to come – facing Espanyol and Granada in their next two in the league. They will then finish away to Bilbao in a match that could have a big say in the race for a European finish.
7.52pmHere are some pre-match thoughts from Shakhtar's Taras Stepanekno, speaking to UEFA.com: "I think Sevilla [have the advantage], because they play in a stronger league. Secondly, they have great experience of participating in, and winning, this tournament. And that's very important at this stage of the competition. It's all new to us. Most of our players haven't played at this level, so that's why the most important thing for us is to be prepared mentally. Anything can happen on the football pitch."
7.55pm
Everything is ready for #ShakhtarSevilla in dressing room of @EuropaLeague semi-finalists. #UEL pic.twitter.com/uuGfHs7XL3
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 28, 2016
7.58pmPREDICTION! Score draw for me tonight. I fancy Sevilla to make the final when all is said and done, but Shakhtar will be tough to beat here and I am going to sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw.
8.01pmJust a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
SHAKHTAR: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Malyshev, Stepanenko, Kovalenko; Marlos, Ferreyra, Taison
SEVILLA: Soria; Mariano, Rami, Carrico, Escudero; N'Zonzi, Krychowiak; Konoplyanka, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
8.03pm
Both bosses in good spirits ahead of @FCShakhtar_eng v @SevillaFC... #UEL pic.twitter.com/s23hV03xMI
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 28, 2016
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football then! Nothing will be decided tonight, but neither can afford to suffer a heavy defeat ahead of next week's clash in Seville. The visitors get this semi-final underway...
2 min... it must be said that the pitch is in beautiful condition tonight - no complaints there. Sevilla have started on the front foot as they attempt go gain early control of the ball possession in Ukraine.
4 minSevilla have the chance to threaten from a corner and Banega delivers into the mix, but Pyatov is on hand to claim. Shakhtar attempt to break, only for Krychowiak to come across and fell Srna.
6 minShakhtar goalkeeper Pyatov does not look too happy in possession of the ball, but the home side's defenders keep feeding it back to him! No real chances to report inside six minutes, but the tempo is good as both teams commit players in the final third. We should have a pretty open game here.
6 minGOAL! Shakhtar 0-1 Sevilla (Vitolo)
7 minBreakthrough! Sevilla open the scoring in the sixth minute as Gameiro feeds a wonderful pass into Vitolo and the Spaniard cuts inside Rakitskiy before firing his effort into the bottom corner for 1-0!
9 minSevilla are enjoying themselves at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Banega looks to slide a pass into Gameiro, who is causing all sorts of problems, but the French international cannot move past the challenge of Kucher. Shakhtar have not settled here!
11 minIsmaily is currently on the deck receiving some treatment following a heavy clash with Mariano.
13 minPossession football for the home side in the last couple of minutes, but they are really struggling to make their mark in the final third as Sevilla's back four continue to move up the field. That away goal from Vitolo has already made such a big difference in this tie. Shakhtar have to respond tonight.
14 minRakitskiy strikes a long-range free kick for Shakhtar straight into the stands.
16 minIn fairness to Shakhtar, they have settled after a poor start, but they are still struggling to upset this Sevilla defence. Srna, as is often the case, breaks forward and attempts to meet a pass from Marlos, but the ball is too strong and the visitors can resume proceedings with a goal-kick here.
18 minGood spell of pressure from Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, but Stepanenko blocks a strike from Banega on the edge of the box and Taison can drive forward for the Ukrainian side.
19 minMarlos fires a strike towards the Sevilla goal, but Soria is on hand to make the save.
22 minJust a reminder that Villarreal are hosting Liverpool in tonight's other semi-final and that first leg is still goalless. In Ukraine, Shakhtar are the team on the front foot as they continue to make ground in wide positions, but Sevilla have been very strong in defensive areas in the opening 22 minutes.
23 minGOAL! Shakhtar 1-1 Sevilla (Marlos)
24 minWe are all square! Shakhtar have been on the front foot since conceding and the home side are now on level terms as Marlos breaks through the Sevilla defence before finding expertly past Soria!
25 minIt was a wonderful pass from Rakitskiy that released Marlos onto Soria there. Brilliant!
27 minBOOKING! Escudero (Sevila) is booked for a late challenge on Srna.
29 minIt must be said that this is a super game of football. Sevilla started on the front foot, but they are being put under serious pressure at the moment as Shakhtar continue to flood forward. I would be astounded if we have seen the last of the goals in this semi-final first leg at the Arena Lviv.
30 minTaison strikes one from distance as Shakhtar threaten once again, but his effort is wide.
33 minMarlos has been a serious threat to Sevilla in this first period and the Brazilian is causing Escudero all sorts of problems in a wide position. The Sevilla left-back has already been booked and needs to be very careful, especially in the build-up to the break. Still 1-1 with 33 minutes on the clock here.
35 minShakhtar continue to put the pressure on as Taison and Marlos both deliver from wide areas, but Rami is on hand to clear the danger. Sevilla are really struggling to get out of their half at the moment.
36 minTaison has a low strike deflected wide of Soria's right-hand post.
36 minGOAL! Shakhtar 2-1 Sevilla (Stepanenko)
37 minShakhtar take the lead in the 36th minute as Marlos delivers a sensational cross onto the head of Stepanenko, who places his effort past Soria from close range. The home side take a 2-1 lead!
39 minSevilla started so well, but they have been second best since the first goal went in here.
40 minBOOKING! Carrico (Sevilla) is booked for a high challenge on Malyshev.
43 minStill goalless between Villarreal and Liverpool in Spain, but we have been treated to three goals here and I would be surprised if that was the end of it. Shakhtar are just to intense at the moment as they continue to flood the Sevilla box and in truth, the away side are struggling to cope with the pressure.
45 minWe have not seen too much from Konoplyanka in this first period and the Sevilla attacker loses his battle with Kucher as the home side keep their lead in tact. Time to have a couple of breaths here!
45 min+1Stepanenko misses the target with a long-range strike as we enter two minutes of added time.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Shakhtar 2-1 Sevilla
8.53pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Shakhtar leading Sevilla 2-1. The visitors took a sixth-minute lead through Vitolo, but goals from Marlos and Stepanenko have turned the game around. Sevilla have been unable to cope with Shakhtar for long spells here!
8.58pmSTATS! Shakhtar have shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have only managed two attempts and scored with their only effort on target. Two yellow cards to report - Escudero and Carrico for Sevilla.
9.03pmBENCH WATCH! Shakhtar have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Eduardo, Bernard and Nem all capable of making a difference in the final third. Sevilla, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Iborra, Krohn-Dehli, Cristoforo and Llorente.
9.05pmMATCH PIC!
© AFP
46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will there be more goals in Ukraine? Let's find out shall we! Shakhtar resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace in Ukraine.
48 minBOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a heavy challenge on Kovalenko.
50 minPositive start to the second half from Sevilla, with Vitolo already finding space inside the Shakhtar box. In truth, 2-1 Shakhtar would not be the worst result for either team and that might well play a part in this second 45 minutes. Just a reminder that the second leg will take place in Seville next week.
52 minNot too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Sevilla are having more of the ball in forward positions as Mariano and Escudero press high up the field here.
54 minNot an awful lot is happening at the moment as both teams exchange possession in the middle of the park. Shakhtar's intensity from the first 45 minutes has not been present since the break.
56 minHalf-chance for the away side as Banega delivers a super cross into N'Zonzi, who attempts to find Gameiro inside the Shakhtar box, but Kucher is on hand to make the challenge. Shakhtar break down the other end with Marlos, but Krychowiak halts the counter-attack with a fine challenge.
56 minSAVE! Pyatov gets down to turn a low Carrico strike wide of the post.
59 minLittle over 30 minutes of this second leg remaining and it is so delicately poised in this Europa League semi-final. Neither manager would be too disappointed if this finished as it stands.
60 minSEVILLA SUB! Krohn-Dehli replaces Konoplyanka in Sevilla's first change.
62 minN'Zonzi heads wide of the home side's post as Sevilla once again threaten with a high ball into the box. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game with 30 left to play in Ukraine.
63 minSAVE! Pyatov gets down to keep out a low strike from Krohn-Dehli.
65 minMarlos shifts the ball a couple of times in an attempt to make space outside the Sevilla box, but the attacker's effort was always moving wide of the post. Sloppy defending from the away side there.
68 minStill all square between Villarreal and Liverpool in Spain and the goals have dried up in this second period between Shakhtar and Sevilla. The visitors remain on the front foot with 68 on the clock.
70 minDecent spell of pressure for the home side in the last couple of minutes and Marlos has a go after the ball breaks, but Rami is on hand to make the block. Still no movement on the Shakhtar bench and Sevilla boss Emery has only made one change thus far. Little over 20 minutes to play here.
71 minBad moment for Krohn-Dehli here as the defender hits the deck and the stretcher is on the field.
72 minIt does not look great for Krohn-Dehli, who has his head in his hands as he leaves the field.
72 minSEVILLA SUB! Coke replaces Krohn-Dehli for the visitors.
75 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Sevilla have the ball in the back of the net for a second time as Gameiro converts a low cross from Escudero, but the flag is raised. It was very, very close!
78 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Gameiro to level as the Frenchman collects a super pass from Banega before attempting to find the back of the net, but his effort is over the crossbar!
80 minAs it stands, this tie would be delicately poised ahead of the second leg, but one goal either way changes the entire complexion. Shakhtar seem to have found a second wind as they burst forward.
81 minOFF-THE-LINE! Incredible defensive work from Kucher as the Shakhtar defender clears an N'Zonzi cross off the line, which Gameiro looked favourite to dispatch! So open at the moment!
81 minPENALTY SEVILLA!
82 minSevilla are awarded a penalty as Vitolo goes down inside the box under a challenge from Ferreyra!
82 minGOAL! Shakhtar 2-2 Sevilla (Gameiro, pen)
83 minGameiro fires his penalty down the middle to level the scores!
85 minShakhtar seem to have just run out of steam in this second period!
88 minSevilla are the team pressing forward at the moment as Shakhtar continue to struggle to keep hold of the possession. In truth, based on what we have seen, a 2-2 draw is about right tonight.
89 minBOOKING! Malyshev (Shakhtar) is booked for a late challenge on Escudero.
90 min+1FOUR ADDITIONAL MINUTES!
90 min+1SHAKHTAR SUBS! Nem and Eduardo replace Ferreyra and Taison for the hosts.
90 min+2SHAKHTAR SUB! Bernard replaces Marlos in Shakhtar's third change.
90 min+3Shakhtar have just made all three subs, but it is Sevilla pressing forward in additional time. Over in Spain, Adrian Lopez has just sent Villarreal into a late 1-0 lead against Liverpool!
90 min+4Soria gets down to keep out Ismaily as time runs out in Ukraine.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Shakhtar 2-2 Sevilla
10.01pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams level at 2-2. Shakhtar dropped their intensity in the second half and were made to pay as Gameiro equalised for the visitors in the 82nd minute. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
