Sevilla saved by last gasp Palop

Sevilla FC were saved by a goal four minutes into stoppage time from goalkeeper Andrés Palop before going on to beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 on the night in Ukraine and 5-4 on aggregate.

Comeback kings
The holders twice came from behind in Donetsk, with the key equaliser arriving deep into added time from Palop. His strike was the prelude to 30 minutes' overtime during which substitute Ernesto Chevantón scored to finally knock out Shakhtar.

Sevilla threaten
Shakhtar had the advantage of two away goals following last week's first-leg draw in Spain, leaving Juande Ramos's side needing to score at least once in this dramatic Round of 16 return match. Luis Fabiano almost did precisely that with an early opportunity he sent narrowly wide. The same player was then close to deceiving Shakhtar keeper Bohdan Shust with a cheeky lob, before the Primera División team took full control as half-time approached. First, Shust had to push Adriano's drive against a post, before Enzo Maresca fired centimetres over the woodwork from outside the area.

Shakhtar breakthrough
For all Sevilla's dominance, the deadlock was broken four minutes after the interval by Shakhtar and Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem. He improvised brilliantly to let fly a hooked effort past Palop from Fernandino's cross. Needing two goals to remain in contention, the visitors replied within four minutes as Maresca converted Daniel Alves's centre with a powerful header. But they had it all to do once again after 84 minutes when Shakhtar went 2-1 up through substitute Elano Blumer's angled strike.

Palop drama
That was the cue for some last-gasp drama. Alves delivered a corner in the dying seconds and up rose Palop to nod in and maintain Sevilla's grasp on the trophy – for the duration of extra time at least. Chances were more scarce in this period, yet the one that counted arrived on 105 minutes when Uruguay forward Chevantón shot past Shust to break the hearts of Mircea Lucescu's men.