Shakhtar Donetsk, Villarreal book Europa League semi-final spots
Two of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second legs didn't require second stanzas, as both Shakhtar Donetsk and Villarreal advanced to the final four courtesy of lopsided scorelines.
Already boasting a 2-1 aggregate advantage over Portuguese side Braga, Shakhtar scored twice in a 17-minute window courtesy of a penalty from Darijo Srna and a Ricardo Ferreira own-goal to give the Ukrainians a 4-1 edge.
Viktor Kovalenko scored five minutes after the interval before Ferreira deposited a second in his own net to cement a result that was hardly in doubt. Shakhtar took the tilt 6-1 on aggregate.
Like Shakhtar, Villarreal's advancement to the the semi-finals was a straightforward affair.
Cedric Bakambu, Samuel Castillejo, and Bruno all scored first-half goals before the Congolese international added a fourth moments after the interval. Borek Dockal scored a consolation goal for the Czech champ to make it 4-1 before Ladislav Krejci tallied six minutes later. Marcelino's lot advanced 6-3 on aggregate.
Related - Watch: Bakambu bolsters Villarreal's hopes with early goal
Shakhtar and Villarreal will look forward to Friday's draw to determine the semi-final fixtures, with stunners Liverpool and Sevilla the other sides in the final four of Europe's second tier tournament.
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