Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Sevilla: Defending champions big favourites after away draw

Shakhtar recovered well from an early setback, but Sevilla will be happy with two away goals

Shakhtar Donetsk recovered from conceding an early goal but could only draw with defending champions Sevilla to hand them the advantage after the first leg of theirEuropa League semi-final in Lviv.

It was impossible not to fear the worst for the Ukrainian champions when the visitors took an early lead through Vitolo.

But they fought back quickly and equalised through Marlos, who was a thorn in the side of Sevilla all night.

Unai Emery instructed his side to stick tighter to the Brazilian but they did quite the opposite, seeing Shakhtar turn the game round even before half-time.

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Sevilla's Vitolo netted the opener

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Marlos celebrates after scoring the equaliser

Marlos' cross was headed home by Taras Stepanenko and Sevilla were suddenly chasing the game.

While there will be some question marks over whether Kevin Gameiro's second-half strike was, in fact, offside, the officials ruled it out and handed the hosts a lifeline.

But Mircea Lucescu's men couldn't hold out, and the wronged Gameiro converted an 82nd-minute penalty to level the game but give the defending champions a significant advantage heading back to Spain.

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Taras Stepanenko made it 2-1

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Gameiro was the late hero for Sevilla

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Sevilla: Advantage Sevilla after Europa League semi-final draw

Sevilla stayed on course for a third consecutive Europa League crown after a 2-2 semi-final first leg draw at Shakhtar Donetsk.

The holders made the perfect start at the Lviv Arena as Vitolo struck inside six minutes to give Unai Emery's side an early lead.

But Shakhtar rallied to earn a deserved half-time lead thanks to Marlos' 23rd-minute strike, before the Brazilian set up Taras Stepanenko to head the hosts in front 10 minutes before the interval.

Kevin Gameiro finally got the better of Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov eight minutes from time, rifling home a penalty after Facundo Ferreyra fouled Vitolo to earn Sevilla a crucial second away goal.

The Spaniards raced in front in Ukraine as Gameiro released Vitolo and he was allowed to turn inside by Yaroslav Rakitskiy before finding the net.

Shakhtar responded positively and David Soria saved from Marlos before the Brazilian levelled matters in the 23rd minute.

Rakitskiy made up for his error by playing a terrific ball for Marlos, who was allowed acres of space to run through and finish with aplomb.

The teams last met in Europe nine years ago when Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop dramatically equalised at the death, with the Spanish side going on to win the title.

Shakhtar would lift the trophy two years later but had not reached the semi-finals again until now.

Their tails were certainly up and with 35 minutes on the clock the Ukrainians took the lead.

A short corner was worked to Marlos, who swung in a cross with such pace that Stepanenko needed only to get his head on it to beat Soria.

Sevilla needed to improve after the break and they did. Daniel Carrico forced Andriy Pyatov into a save; the 'keeper awkwardly pushing the low drive away.

Substitute Michael Krohn-Dehli then tested Pyatov again as the pressure mounted but the visitors were dealt a blow when the Dane suffered what appeared a serious knee injury.

Gameiro thought he had equalised in the 75th minute but his celebrations were halted by an offside flag, and moments later the Frenchman shot over when well placed.

The threat was growing and Sevilla seemed certain to score when Vitolo beat Pyatov but Olexandr Kucher somehow cleared the ball over the bar from on the line with Gameiro lurking.

But, with 82 minutes on the clock, the visitors had their equaliser. Facundo Ferreyra fouled Vitolo as he tried to cut inside on the right of the box and Gameiro confidently netted the penalty.

Sevilla might have won the game but Rakitskiy produced a vital block to deny Ever Banega.