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On Thursday, the last four second-leg matches of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 took place, not without intrigue and surprises. Defending champions Sevilla dramatically defeated Shakhtar Donetsk away after extra time, AZ managed to eliminate Newcastle, Benfica avenged PSG with the necessary goal difference, and Espanyol crushed Maccabi.
A special drama took place in Donetsk, where Shakhtar managed to secure a 2-2 draw at home against last season's runner-up Sevilla. The Ukrainians took the lead first after a fantastic goal: Oleksiy Bielik passed the ball into the penalty area, where Francelino Matuzalem impressively shot the ball into the net with his heel. However, just a few minutes later, Enzo Maresca equalized with a precise header.
In the 83rd minute, Shakhtar regained the lead through Elano Blumer, who broke away alone from the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the far corner of the goal from the left. Just when it seemed like Sevilla was out of the tournament, goalkeeper Andres Palop saved them in the final minute of added time with a header after a corner kick.
In extra time, inspired by their success, the Sevilla team snatched victory – in the 105th minute, Ernesto Javier Chevanton simply "shot" past Bohdan Shust and secured their team a spot in the quarterfinals.
The modest Alkmaar AZ club continues to impress in Europe. After losing 2-4 away, the Dutch defeated Newcastle at home and advanced to the next stage thanks to the away goals.
After a goalless draw away, Barcelona's Espanyol dominated the gates of Maccabi Haifa at home from the first minutes of the match. The Israeli team held on in the first half, but in the second half, the Spaniards scored four goals.
Lisbon's Benfica defeated crisis-stricken Paris Saint-Germain 3-1. With this loss, French teams no longer have a presence in the European cup tournaments this season.
The quarterfinal draw will take place on Friday.
Stats of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 second-leg matches:
(Teams in bold advanced to the next stage)
Shakhtar 2 – 3 Sevilla
(First leg 2-2, aggregate score 4-5)
49‘ [1 – 0] Francelino Matuzalem
53‘ [1 – 1] Enzo Maresca
83‘ [2 – 1] Elano Blumer
90+3‘ [2 – 2] Andres Palop
105‘ [2 – 3] Ernesto Javier Chevanton
AZ 2 – 0 Newcastle
(First leg 2-4, aggregate score 4-4)
14‘ [1 – 0] Shota Arveladze
56‘ [2 – 0] Danny Koevermans
Espanyol 4 – 0 Maccabi
(First leg 0-0, aggregate score 4-0)
53‘ [1 – 0] Ivan de la Pena
59‘ [2 – 0] Raul Tamudo
61‘ [3 – 0] Luis Garcia
90‘ [4 – 0] Walter Pandiani
Benfica 3 – 1 PSG
(First leg 1-2, aggregate score 4-3)
12‘ [1 – 0] Simao Sabrosa
27‘ [2 – 0] Petit
32‘ [2 – 1] Pedro Pauleta
88‘ [3 – 1] Simao Sabrosa (from the penalty spot)
88‘ Youssouf Mulumbu (PSG) sent off
Quarterfinal participants:
Werder Bremen (Germany)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Osasuna (Spain)
Espanyol (Spain)
Sevilla (Spain)
Tottenham Hotspur (England)
Benfica (Portugal)
AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
