Spanish trio all progress

Two goals in as many first-half minutes from Adil Rami sent Valencia on their way to the Europa League semi-finals as the Primera Liga side overturned a first-leg deficit to see off AZ Alkmaar 4-0.Despite suffering a 2-1 reversal in the opening fixture in Holland last week, the Spaniards were on top form with Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez adding to Rami’s early brace to wrap up an emphatic win on the night, and a 5-2 aggregate success.They will meet Atletico Madrid, who progressed to the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons as second-half strikes from Adrian Lopez and Radamel Falcao were enough to see off Hannover 4-2 on aggregate.With the tie finely balanced from the first leg in Madrid last week, the game did not open up until after the break when Adrian spun away from three desperate Hannover challenges to slot home his sixth goal of the competition.On-loan Manchester United striker Mame Biram Diouf gave the hosts hope as he pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining, but Atletico sealed their passage into the last four when Falcao rocketed home a volley from the edge of the area five minutes later.Athletic Bilbao advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate win over Schalke, although they were tested to the limit at San Mames.Trailing 4-2 from the quarter-final first leg, Schalke twice took the lead on the night through Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Raul.But the home side replied with strikes from Ibai Gomez and Markel Susaeta to secure a draw which earned them an aggregate victory and a last-four meeting with Sporting Lisbon.Sporting progressed as Cleiton Xavier’s second-half penalty miss cost hosts Metalist Kharkiv dear as they clung on for a 1-1 draw in Ukraine which sent them through.Leading 2-1 from the first leg in Portugal, Sporting extended their lead through Ricky van Wolfswinkel before Jonathan Cristaldo equalised early in the second half to pile the pressure on the visitors.

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Spanish trio all progress