Sevilla glide past Lokomotiv

Goals from Vicenzo Maresca and Antonio Puerta were enough to see Sevilla FC through to a UEFA Cup Round of 16 encounter with LOSC Lille Métropole following a 3-0 aggregate success at the expense of FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

Late seal
Italian midfield player Maresca struck a firm left-footed shot into the top corner from 22 metres just after the half-hour mark at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to double the Primera División side's overall lead, before defender Puerta guaranteed the win in added time, heading in Jesús Navas' left-wing cross.

Notario tested
After a cagey opening, Maresca had the first shot of the game, shooting wide from distance in the 12th minute. Lokomotiv quickly replied with Dmitri Loskov stinging the palms of Sevilla goalkeeper Antonio Notario from outside the box. But as the Russian outfit sought a way back into the tie, the home defence limited them to only one more sight of goal in the half - a 28th-minute effort from the edge of the penalty area by Aleksandr Samedov which was held by Notario.

Maresca opener
Sevilla threatened with Brazilian Daniel shooting wide on the half-hour mark, while Luis Fabiano's header was saved by Lokomotiv keeper Aleksei Poliakov. So it was little surprise when the hosts broke the deadlock shortly after through Maresca. Sevilla did not drop their guard though and remained in control with Luis Fabiano shooting wide just after the restart. Vladimir Maminov and substitute Marat Izmailov had long-range efforts for Lokomotiv either side of the hour mark but neither caused Notario any undue concern.

Puerta guarantee
Kepa Blanco replaced Luis Fabiano with 20 minutes remaining and had a header saved, before Igor Lebedenko fired wide for the visitors late on. By then Lokomotiv's hope had gone and Puerta's goal merely served to underline his side's dominance.