Sevilla in control after win over Valencia

Sevilla brushed aside the challenge of Valencia at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to record a 2-0 win in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

The visitors, who have not beaten Sevilla on their travels since 2004, started brightly without ever really threatening Beto’s goal.

But as the half wore on, Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic started to dominate the midfield as Unai Emery’s men got a foothold in the game.

Sevila took the lead in the 33rd minute, when Stephane Mbia backheeled the ball past Vicente Guaita at the second attempt after he was left alone by the Valencia defence following Rakitic’s free-kick from the left.

The Los Che defence protested long and loud to referee Damir Skomina that Mbia was offside, to no avail, and were still loudly airing their grievances as Carlos Bacca netted his 21st goal of the season three minutes later after a one-two on the edge of the area.

Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side were far more potent in the second half, despite not learning to deal with the threat of Rakitic’s set-pieces, and had two golden chances to score an away goal in the final moments.

First, Beto did brilliantly to beat out Jonas’ shot on the turn in the 86th minute, then Eduardo Vargas saw his header at the far post from substitute Pablo Piatti’s deep cross rebound off the crossbar.

The teams meet in the second leg at the Mestalla next Thursday, with the winners facing Benfica or Juventus in the final.

26’ - CHANCE! Fazio climbs above Mathieu but the Sevilla defender is unable to get his header from Rakitic's corner from the left on target.

27' - CHANCE! Rakitic puts in a brilliant reverse pass down the right channel but Bacca drags his shot wide of Guaita's goal.

33’ - GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Benfica. Carrico gets a flick onto his captain Rakitic’s swinging free-kick and Mbia backheels home after missing the first attempt.

36’ - GOAL! Sevilla 2-0 Benfica. Bacca plays a one-two on the edge of the box and shoots across Guaita, though the Valencia tackles were a bit powder puff.

51’ - CHANCE! Mathieu's free-kick from the left just whistles past Beto's goal.

55’ - CHANCE! Another great reverse pass from Rakitic tees up Bacca but the striker shoots straight at Guaita under pressure from the covering Keita.

62’ - CHANCE! Vargas does well to beat Figueiras down the left but Alcacer is unable to get his half-volley on target.

66’ - CHANCE! Pareja clears Parejo's free-kick, but the ball lands at Vargas' feet and his curled shot is just wide of Beto's far post.

86’ - CHANCE! That was the moment for Valencia - Beto makes a brilliant point-blank save to deny Jonas on the turn from Piatti's cross.

87’ - CHANCE! No - that was the moment! Another brilliant deep cross from the left from Piatti and Vargas' towering header at the far post hits the crossbar with Beto well beaten.

90+2’ - CHANCE! Iborra shoots over with his first touch from another superb Rakitic delivery. That was easier to score as again the Valencia marking is non-existent.

Valencia have played 15 European matches against Spanish opposition: W5-D4-L6. They are winless in their last five. (Infostrada)

Should Mbia's goal have stood? The failure of the assistant referee to raise the flag to rule out Stephane Mbia’s opening goal for Sevilla enraged the Valencia players, and led to a complete loss of concentration. Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was still screaming at the official in the moments leading up to Sevilla’s second goal three minutes later.

Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla): The Croat was the attacking inspiration for Unai Emery’s side - the Valencia defence completely unable to cope with the 26-year-old’s set-pieces.

Sevilla: Beto 7, Diogo 7, Pareja 7, Fazio 7, Fernando Navarro 7, Carrico 7, M'Bia 8, Reyes 7, Rakitic 9, Vitolo 7, Bacca 7. Subs: Marin 7, Iborra 6,Gameiro 7.

Valencia: Guaita 7; J. Pereira 6, Fuego 6, Mathieu 6, Bernat 6; Feghouli 5, Keita 6, Parejo 6, Fede 5,Vargas 7; Paco 5. Subs: Piatti 7, Jonas 7, Gaya 8.