By upsetting the Europa League’s record titleholders Sevilla, West Ham United secured their first quarter-final appearance in Europe since 1981 with a dominant display – Andriy Yarmolenko’s extra-time winner sent the Hammers through to the final eight of the tournament.A one-nil victory for Sevilla in the first leg was obviously not going to be enough of a cushion and the team who loves Thursday’s evening largely played second-fiddle to the London side’s opening initiative. West Ham found comfort in holding onto possession whilst searching for an opening and with that restricted the Spanish outfit to their own half.Regardless, the guests were the first to be denied – in the 28th minute, Alphonse Areola’s virtue of some sheer single-handed goalkeeping brilliance saved the home team after he denied Youssef En-Nesyri’s close-range attempt.It did not take long for the Hammers to respond – the ever-dynamic Michail Antonio accurately fed Tomáš Souček’s towering header to level the tie and blow the roof off London Stadium just as the half-time whistle was approaching.In their previous 25 competitive matches, Sevilla saw themselves trailing for only the second time at the break but it was not something a few words of wisdom by coach Julen Lopetegui couldn’t fix. After the break, Sevilla saw a close call by En-Nesyri fly just wide of the right post.At the other end, the hour mark showed a moment of individual artistry by Manuel Lanzini and the Argentine almost got the home crowd on its feet but goalkeeper Bono managed to pull off an equally astounding save.EUROPA LEAGUE: Dazzling Barca come from behind to survive the Bosphorus infernoAs the final-quarter hour began, both teams barely allowed one another to breathe. The clashing sides knew very well that the next goal would certainly be decisive – however, such a moment never arrived and the match headed into extra-time.Additional 30 minutes were exciting, given the fatigue both squads were feeling. David Moyes’ side had an amazing chance in the first period via goalscorer Souček’s failed header into the side netting.But, as everyone was preparing themselves for the penalty shootout, the hosts’ attacks were finally converted in the 111th minute. Ukrainian marksman Yarmolenko latched onto Bono’s save from Pablo Fornals’ stinging shot and stabbed home the winner.Having knocked out one of the outright favourites, the Irons know the odds of them winning their first continental trophy since the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup have shortened drastically. On the other end, disappointment looms over the fans of Sevilla who were eager to win their favourite competition by lifting the trophy at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on May 18th.Elsewhere, the other Sevillian club, Real Betis were also knocked out after extra time. A late Guido Rodríguez own goal, in the last minute of the match, secured Eintracht Frankfurt’s passage to the quarter-finals as they drew 1-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUELast 16, second legThursdayCrvena Zvezda – Rangers 2-1 (1-0)/Ivanic 9, Ben 90+2 – Kent 56/RANGERS PROCEED ON AGG 2-4Monaco – Braga 1-1 (0-1)/Disasi 90 – Ruiz 19/BRAGA PROCEED ON AGG 3-1Galatasaray – Barcelona 1-2 (1-1)/Marcao 28 – Pedri 37, Aubameyang 49/BARCELONA PROCEED ON AGG 2-1Bayer Leverkusen – Atalanta 0-1 (0-0)/Boga 90+1/ATALANTA PROCEED ON AGG 4-2Spartak Moscow – RB LeipzigRB LEIPZIG ARE AWARDED THE QUALIFICATIONWest Ham – Sevilla 1-0 (1-0) 2-0 AET/Soucek 39, Yarmolenko 112/WEST HAM PROCEED ON AGG 2-1Olympique Lyon – Porto 1-1 (1-1)/Dembele 13 – Pepe 27/LYON PROCEED ON AGG 2-1Eintracht Frankfurt- Betis 0-1 (0-0) 1-1 AET/Rodriguez 120+1 – Iglesias 90/EINTRACHT PROCEED ON AGG 3-2***odds are subject to change
