By CARL SETTERLUND

Napoli and Sevilla were both involved in exciting Europa League quarterfinals that ended up in a 2-2 tie, but both squads were able to ride the strength of their first leg victories into the tournament semifinals, highlighting four quarterfinal matches on Thursday.

Dries Mertens and José Callejón both scored for host Napoli before Wolfsburg got goals from Timm Klose and Ivan Perisic in the 71st and 73rd minutes. It was small consolation, though, as Rafa Benitez’s Napoli squad went through to the next round, 6-3, on aggregate.

Out in Russia, the big matchup between Zenit St. Petersburg and Sevilla also ended in a 2-2 draw, sending the Europa League holders to a 4-3 series win on aggregate.

Fiorentina also went through to the semifinals, 3-1, on aggregate after a dominant 2-0 home leg victory over Dynamo Kiev. The Viola managed 24 shots compared to Dynamo’s three.

Meanwhile, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk topped Club Brugge, 1-0, after Evgeniy Shakhov scored the only goal of the series in the 82nd minute. This is Dnipro’s first trip to the Europa League semifinals.

In the Sevilla match, Vitolo drew an early penalty for the La Liga side and Carlos Bacca finished from the spot for his second goal in as many games.

Zenit tied it on aggregate, 3-3, in the second half after a pair of gaffes by Sevilla goalkeeper Beto allowed goals by José Rondon and Hulk — the latter on an impressive long-range effort by the Brazilian national teamer.

Sevilla went ahead for good in the 85th minute after Vitolo centered from the left side and Vicente Iborra dummied the ball through to Kevin Gameiro for the winner.

Brugge goalkeeper Maty Ryan (2 saves) put forth another strong effort, but the Belgian side’s Europa League unbeaten streak came to an end at 11 games.

Mario Gomez scored the 43rd-minute winner for Fiorentina, getting behind the defense to get on the end of Joaquín’s left side service. Juan Manuel Vargas added a second goal for good measure in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The semifinal draw will take place on Friday.

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What did you think of Thursday’s Europa League action? Who do you think is the favorite going forward? Which goal was the most impressive of the day?

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