Sadio Mane sealed victory for Liverpool after beating the onrushing Villarreal goalkeeper before putting the ball into an unguarded net
By Kehinde Okeowo
Liverpool travelled to the Stadio de la Ceramica in Spain to face the reigning Europa League Champions, Villarreal in the return leg of Champions League semi-finals.
The visitors came into the game with a 2-0 aggregate lead after defeating the Yellow Submarine at Anfield a week ago.
Villarreal made the perfect start just 2 minutes into the match when Etienne Capoue ghosted past his marker and prodded the ball back across goal for Boulaye Dia, who put it into an empty net.
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The hosts made it 2-0 in the 41st minute after Etienne Capoue turned into space and chipped in a cross that was met and headed home by Francis Coquelin
Liverpool returned with more vigour in the second half and reduced the deficit when Mohamed Salah picked out Fabinho in the box and he took a touch, weighed his options before firing a low shot that found the net through the legs of Geronimo Rulli.
Luis Diaz then restored the visitor’s two-goal cushion as he timed his run to perfection to charge into space and headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross home to make it 2-2.
It got worse for the home side in the 74th minute when Sadio Mane ran from his half to get to Naby Keita’s pass ahead of onrushing goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, before rolling the ball into an unguarded net.
Villarreal lost their discipline in the final 15 minutes, as Etienne Capoue received the matching order after picking up the second yellow card, Liverpool, however, held on to win on 5-2 aggregate and qualified for the final in Paris.