Sevilla sneak through in dramatic Europa League shootout victory against Athletic Bilbao

The winners of the competition for the last two years booked their place in the last four with five perfect spot kicks

Holders Sevilla are through to the last four of the Europa League after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against domestic rivals Athletic Bilbao.

Bilbao's Benat Etxebarria was the only player from either side to miss from 12 yards, with Kevin Gameiro scoring the decisive penalty for Sevilla.

Aritz Aduriz opened the scoring for visitors Bilbao, before Gameiro put the ball back in Sevilla's court.

Raul Garcia's goal 10 minutes from time forced the extra 30-minute period, but no one could find the net before penalties.

Elsewhere, Shakhtar Donetsk thumped Sporting Braga 4-0 on the night to record a 6-1 aggregate victory.

It was a dismal night for Braga defender Ricardo Ferreira who put through his own net twice, while Darijo Srna and Viktor Kovalenko were also on the scoresheet.

Villarreal ensured 50 per cent of the semi-finalists would be made up of La Liga clubs, winning 4-2 in Prague to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory over Sparta.

They wrapped the tie up in the first half, with goals from Cedric Bakambu, Samu Castillejo and Bruno Soriano making it 3-0 at the break.

Bakambu netted his second four minutes into the second period, before strikes from Borek Dockal and Ladislav Krejci gave the scoreline some respectability from Sparta's point of view.

Liverpool completed an astonishing comeback at Anfield, with a stoppage-time winner from Dejan Lovren sealing a pulsating 5-4 aggregate win against Borussia Dortmund.

The draw for the last four will take place on Friday.

Europa League results in full

• Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Dortmund (5-4 agg)
• Sevilla 1-2 Athletic Bilbao (3-3 agg, 5-4 pens)
• Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 Sporting Braga (6-1 agg)
• Sparta Prague 2-4 Villarreal (3-6 agg)