On Thursday, the second leg matches of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals were played.
London's "Arsenal" confidently secured a spot in the final by defeating "Valencia" 4-2 away, and winning the series with an overall result of 7-3.
"Valencia" started the game actively and from the first minutes threatened the visitors' goal. This paid off as Kevin Gameiro scored to put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute. However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized with a great shot in the 17th minute.
After conceding a goal, the hosts had more possession of the ball, but the best chance to turn the score in the first half came for "Arsenal" striker Alexandre Lacazette, whose shot missed the goal completely.
Lacazette managed to score for his team in the 50th minute. The striker skillfully turned away from the opponents in the penalty area and accurately shot into the far corner of the goal.
Gameiro equalized once again in the 58th minute, but "Arsenal" responded with two more precise shots.
In the 69th minute, Aubameyang scored his third goal of the match and the second for his team, while in the 88th minute, the Gabonese striker completed a "hat-trick."
In the other match, there was more suspense. London's "Chelsea" played a 1-1 draw at home with "Eintracht." The same result was recorded in Germany last week, so the teams had to play extra time.
During extra time, neither team managed to score more goals, and "Chelsea" players were more accurate in the penalty shootout, advancing to the final.
The hosts had a successful start to the game, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek scoring in the 28th minute to put his team ahead.
In the 49th minute, "Eintracht" striker Luka Jovic equalized. Neither team could score again during regular time.
During the first extra time period, "Eintracht" came closer to scoring, but "Chelsea" defender Davide Zappacosta cleared a shot from Filip Kostic off the goal line.
In the second extra time period, there were no goals scored, and the teams had to settle the match through a penalty shootout.
Despite missing his second penalty, "Chelsea" captain Cesar Azpilicueta, the "aristocrats" goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga managed to save the last two "Eintracht" penalties and led his team to the tournament final.
The Europa League final will take place on May 29 in Baku.
Results:
"Valencia" 2:4 "Arsenal" (aggregate result: 3:7)
11' [1:0] K. Gameiro
17' [1:1] P. Aubameyang
50' [1:2] A. Lacazette
58' [2:2] K. Gameiro
69' [2:3] P. Aubameyang
88' [2:4] P. Aubameyang
"Chelsea" 1:1 "Eintracht" (aggregate result: 2:2, penalty shootout: 4:3)
28' [1:0] R. Loftus-Cheek
49' [1:1] L. Jovic
