MADRID, April 18 -- Valencia sealed their place in the semifinals of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at home to Villarreal on a rainy Thursday night in the Mestalla Stadium which saw them through 5-1 on aggregate.
Valencia were able to build on the 3-1 lead they brought to their home ground from Villarreal the previous week and their qualification was never really in doubt from the moment that left back Toni Lato headed them ahead in the 12th minute following a cross from Goncalo Guedes.
Guedes formed part of a strong Valencia starting 11 field by coach Marcelino Garcia, despite his side's first leg lead, while Manu Trigueros and Jaume Costa started for Villarreal after missing games through injury.
Trigueros had one of Villarreal's best chances with a shot from outside of the area, while Neto in the Valencia goal saved well from Gerard Moreno following a corner, before Andres Fernandez denied Kevin Gameiro at the other end as Valencia looked to seal their qualification before the break.
Nine minutes after the break Valencia doubled the lead when Dani Parejo's free kick took a big deflection off Funes Mori to leave Fernandez stranded.
Villarreal tried to get back into the game in the remaining 35 minutes, but with a key league fixture at home to Leganes on Sunday, it wasn't surprising to see them reserve some energy for Sunday.
Valencia will play Arsenal in the semifinals after the English side won 1-0 away to Napoli to qualify 3-0 on aggregate. The fact Arsenal coach Unai Emery coached Valencia for four years will add extra spice to the tie.
体坛英语资讯:China wins 2 more gymnastics golds at Jakarta Asiad
The Spring Festival 春节
国际英语资讯:Spain to double aid to UNs Palestinian refugee agency
美国的劳动节
体坛英语资讯:Chinese volleyball players pledge to learn from loss to Vietnam
IBM新发明:只要你困了,无人机就会自动倒咖啡
体坛英语资讯:Chinese fencers dominate womens individual sabre at Asiad
娱乐英语资讯:Bill Cosbys star on Walk of Fame vandalized
国内英语资讯:China Eastern Airlines to launch direct flights from Dubai to Shanghai
国际英语资讯:Finnish govt plan to help ease dismissals by small employers faces labor action
国内英语资讯:Beijing declaration, action plan adopted at FOCAC summit
国际英语资讯:UN Security Council to discuss Syrias Idlib on Friday
国际英语资讯:Brunei calls for unified law enforcement body for ASEAN
娱乐英语资讯:Romanias Golden Stag Festival ends with Albanian singer winning trophy
国内英语资讯:Xi says China to implement eight major initiatives with African countries
体坛英语资讯:China wraps womens gymnastics all-around gold and silver at Asiad
Teaching at Home 在家教育
国内英语资讯:Red Cross Society of China strengthens cooperation with Tibet
体坛英语资讯:Italy Serie A kicks off with Roma, Juve, Napoli wins
国际英语资讯:Philippine president starts visit in Israel
体坛英语资讯:China beat UAE 2-1 to reach final 16 in Asian Games mens soccer competition
国内英语资讯:China, Africa agree to build even stronger community with shared future
体坛英语资讯:Chinas female rowers book fastest times in Asian Games rowing qualifiers
体坛英语资讯:Indonesia womens football squad has tough fight to qualify for Asian Games quarters
国际英语资讯:Spain asks EU to step in after U.S. decides to end assistance for Palestinian refugees
世界迎来开学季:说说上学的那些事儿
国内英语资讯:Xi meets press as FOCAC Beijing Summit concludes
One-child Policy Forever? 独生子女政策要永远实行吗
国际英语资讯:Remittances to Mexico increase 10.3 pct in July: central bank
体坛英语资讯:Leipzig beat Viktoria Cologne 3-1 in German Cup