Valencia vs Arsenal: Aubameyang and Lacazette send Arsenal to the Europa League final
Arsenal won away from home courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hat-trick
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal have won a place in the final of the Europa League after beating Valencia 4-2 in the second leg of their semi-final at the Mestalla.
Unai Emery’s men took a 3-1 advantage to Spain after their win against the La Liga side last week at the Emirates, but Valencia's early strike through Kevin Gameiro gave the hosts hope of a comeback.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised after 17 minutes to restore Arsenal's two-goal aggregate advantage before Alexandre Lacazette scored their fifth of the tie, but Gameiro scored his second to make it 5-3 to Arsenal on aggregate before Aubameyang's hat-trick goal sealed it.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
Chelsea 1-1 Frankfurt
83 minutes
Both teams are searching for a decisive second goal as we approach an extra 30 minutes. Frankfurt break quickly and look in a promising position but Azpilicueta takes out Gacinovic with a poor challenge to stop the attack. The Spaniard gets away with a booking, but it could easily have been red.
Chelsea 1-1 Frankfurt
86 minutes
Loftus-Cheek doesn't look happy to be making way for Ross Barkley. Sarri is clearly thinking of extra-time, though.
GOAL! Valencia 2-4 Arsenal (Aubameyang)
88 minutes
Aubameyang completes his hat-trick! A brilliant, incisive move on the edge of Valencia's box between Gunedouzi, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang allows the former to burst into the box. He makes no mistake with his finish, smashing the ball emphatically into the roof of the net.
Chelsea 1-1 Frankfurt
90 minutes
Five minutes of added time for either side to find a winning goal at Stamford Bridge.
Full time: It's all over at the Mestalla! Arsenal are through to the Europa League final with a 7-3 aggregate victory. This was an impressive away performance, despite a nervy start, and Aubameyang's hat-trick has seen the Gunners comfortably through. They'll be confident now heading into the final in Baku.
Chelsea 1-1 Frankfurt
90+6 minutes
Frankfurt end normal time the stronger of the two sides, launching set pieces into the Chelsea box. A corner is flicked on but evades the white shirts waiting in the box.
Full time: That's it! We'll have 30 minutes of extra time at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal can now start planning for the final. They don't know who they'll be playing yet, but that won't bother them for now. Gunners fans, too, can look forward to the prospect of navigating a trip to Azerbaijan.
Frankfurt kick off the first half of extra time. This one could go either way.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments