Baku-bound: Chelsea and Arsenal seal all-English Europa League final (RECAP)

09 May 2019

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

What a night (again!) of European football. And what a night (again!) for English clubs in Europe.

It's Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League final.

It's Arsenal vs Chelsea in the UEFA Europa League final.

Recap all the drama with our RT Sport recaps below:

HAZARD'S PARTING GIFT?

Stamford Bridge erupts as Eden Hazard buries his spot-kick to give Chelsea a 4-3 win in the shoot-out.

Rumors are rife that the Belgian playmaker could be off to pastures new in the summer, which would mean tonight was his last ever appearance at Stamford Bridge for the Blues. 

If it is, then he's just given the fans a huge farewell present.

Chelsea are in the final and will meet London rivals Arsenal in an all-English UEFA Europa League final.

THE PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Keep refreshing for score updates. Here we go...

Haller (Frankfurt): SCORES

Barkley (Chelsea): SCORES

Jovic (Frankfurt): SCORES

Azpilicueta (Chelsea): SAVED BY TRAPP!

De Guzman (Frankfurt): SCORES

Jorginho (Chelsea): SCORES

Hinteregger (Frankfurt): SAVED BY KEPA!

Luiz (Chelsea): SCORES

Paciencia (Frankfurt): SAVED BY KEPA!

Hazard: (Chelsea): SCORES - CHELSEA WIN!

IT'S PENALTIES!

180 minutes of regulation time couldn't separate them.

30 minutes of extra time couldn't separate them.

So now Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt will go head to head from 12 yards out in a penalty shoot-out to decide their fate.

One club will head to Baku to face Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League final. The other will go home wondering about what might have been.

GOAL DISALLOWED!

They say goalkeepers get too much protection in modern-day football, and we just saw the perfect example of it as Cesar Azpilicueta had a goal disallowed for a supposed foul on the Frankfurt keeper.

Kevin Trapp rose to claim a routine high ball, but lost control of it as he came down and then lost the ball completely as he dropped it onto the Chelsea man's shoulder as he challenged for it.

It ended up with the ball in the net and Stamford Bridge celebrating, but the referee decided the Spanish defender had fouled the goalkeeper and disallowed the goal.

Our first impression on seeing the replay was it was a soft decision. Chelsea fans would probably have stronger words for it than that...

THEY'RE STILL LEVEL, AND IT'S STILL TENSE!

We're at halftime in extra-time, and it's Frankfurt who have looked the more likely to score so far in the extra period.

Substitute striker Haller has caused all sorts of trouble and has had two efforts cleared off the line by Luiz and Zappacosta. 

But it remains 1-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate and we have just 15 minutes for someone to step up and make themselves a hero...

...or we'll go to the dreaded penalties!

LUIZ TO THE RESCUE!

Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz was in the right place at the right time to stop substitute Sebastien Haller's studded effort from creeping in at the far post.

Frankfurt have been a constant threat on the counter-attack, while Chelsea have looked to push forward and create chances themselves.

Ross Barkley has had a few shots from range, but so far in extra time the Blues haven't overly troubled Kevin Trapp in the Frankfurt goal.

EXTRA TIME AT THE BRIDGE

After a tight, tense last 20 minutes neither Chelsea or Eintracht Frankfurt could find a crucial winner, so we're heading into extra time.

Whose nerve will hold? Who can find that piece of quality against tiring legs? Who will be the hero? 

All will be revealed in the next half-hour or so.

ARSENAL ARE IN THE FINAL!

The final whistle has gone at the Mestalla as Arsenal claimed a brilliant 4-2 away win at Valencia to go through to the final in Baku 7-3 on aggregate.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the hero as he scored a hat-trick, while his strike partner Alexandre Lacazette grabbing the other.

It was a shaky start for the Gunners, but once their forward line got into top gear, they blew past their La Liga opponents.

The big question now is who will Arsenal face in the final?

HAT-TRICK HERO!

Tottenham celebrated their hat-trick hero Lucas Moura in Amsterdam last night. Now their North London rivals have a hat-trick hero of their own.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been absolutely outstanding for Arsenal tonight, and he's just completed his hat-trick with a brilliant finish as he hammers the ball into the roof of the net.

For those still keeping score, it's 4-2 to Arsenal on the night, and 7-3 to the Gunners on aggregate. 

THE CHELSEA FANS AREN'T HAPPY

Maurizio Sarri has taken off goalscorer Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has been one of Chelsea's better performers on the night, to bring on Ross Barkley.

The introduction of Barkley wasn't the issue for the Blues fans - it was the withdrawal of Loftus-Cheek, who has completed 90 minutes under Sarri just seven times this season.

The England man appears to be the Blues boss's go-to man when it comes to taking off a midfielder, and the Stamford Bridge faithful were NOT happy, as they roundly booed his decision to take off the young midfielder.

AZPILICUETA ESCAPES WITH YELLOW

The Chelsea skipper should be testing the bath water in the Blues' dressing room right now after an ugly, high lunge at Mijat Gacinovic.

The referee pulled play back to book the Spanish defender, but replays showed the challenge was even worse than it first looked. 

It should have been red.

IS THIS A GAMBLE BY SARRI?

With Danish center-half Andreas Christensen hobbling off injured, all eyes turned to veteran English defender Gary Cahill, who is on the bench for the Blues tonight.

But rather than call on the club stalwart, who is leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, Sarri instead turned to Italian full-back Davide Zappacosta and moved Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta into the heart of Chelsea's defense.

It means they have a key man playing out of position during a crucial time in the tie when they had an experienced head ready to come on in his natural position.

Will it cost Chelsea, or will they go on to get the winner?

WHAM, BAM! AUBAMEYANG!

Arsenal are surely in the final now.

Maitland-Niles broke down the right flank and crossed perfectly for Aubameyang, who beat his man to the near post to slide the ball into the near post.

They lead 3-2 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate, and it's all down to the incredible finishing of their strike pairing. Lacazette and Aubameyang have been nothing short of world class across both legs of this semi-final.

The two strikers have scored three goals each over the course of the two legs.

MEANWHILE, AT STAMFORD BRIDGE...

Frankfurt are piling the pressure on Chelsea as they quickly close down the London side, dominate possession and look by far the more threatening side.

A goal for the Bundesliga side here would mean there would be no chance of extra time or penalties.

It would also mean Chelsea would need to score TWICE without further reply to make the final.

It's poised on a knife-edge, and it's gripping stuff.

THEY COULDN'T, COULD THEY?

We said Valencia needed four more goals. Well, they only need three now, as Gameiro has bundled home from point-blank range after he inadvertently blocked Rodrigo's initial shot.

It was a scrappy goal, but one that has lifted spirits at the Mestalla. 

There's no doubting Arsenal's potency up front, but at the back they look decidedly average.

If Valencia can keep the pressure on... who knows?

'ALEXANDRE THE GREAT' STRIKES FOR ARSENAL

While Frankfurt were clawing their way back into the tie in London, over in Valencia Arsenal went one big step closer to the final, thanks to Alexandre Lacazette.

The French striker took possession inside the box, but still had plenty to do. But he turned smartly, made space for himself and fired brilliantly into the far corner to put Arsenal 2-1 up on the night, and 5-2 ahead on aggregate.

Only a total collapse can prevent Unai Emery's men from making it to Baku. Valencia need FOUR unanswered goals to stop them.

IT'S ALL SQUARE AT STAMFORD BRIDGE!

And it's that man again!

Luka Jovic is having an outstanding season for Frankfurt and he pounced on a through-ball to calmly slot the ball past Kepa.

It means it's 1-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate and all square on away goals.

Now we have a tie on our hands. And as we type, Olivier Giroud fires wide as Chelsea look to strike back immediately.

WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY

The action is off and underway in both stadiums as Valencia and Frankfurt both have plenty to do to loosen the stranglehold their Premier League opponents have on their respective semi-final ties.

But, while you're waiting for the first serious effort on goal of the half, check out this quick piece of TV gold that took place at the Mestalla before kick-off...

IT'S HALFTIME IN BOTH GAMES

And it's been a lively opening 45 minutes at both stadiums, as the two Premier League sides strengthened their respective positions in the first half.

Chelsea lead 1-0 through Ruben Loftus-Cheek's smartly-taken effort to put them 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 ahead on aggregate, while Arsenal's sucker-punch equalizer from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took all the steam out of Valencia's fast start at the Mestalla.

The Gunners are 1-1 on the night, but 4-2 ahead on aggregate. They've levelled the scores when it comes to away goals, too.

Will the Premier League sides see out the remaining 45 minutes of action, or will we see more drama in the second half?

Stay with us, as we bring you all the key moments as they happen.

BIG SCARE FOR VALENCIA!

Arsenal should be ahead after Aubameyang charged down the right flank and pulled the ball back for strike partner Lacazette.

But the French international striker's effort clipped the outside of the post with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

That was a big scare for the La Liga side, who can't afford to concede another here.

Arsenal still look decidedly dodgy at the back, but they are getting bodies back, and that's proving to be just enough so far.

LOFTUS-CHEEK BREAKS THE DEADLOCK IN LONDON

Chelsea have put themselves in pole position at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a superbly-crafted goal.

A beautiful through-ball from Eden Hazard sent England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek away down the left channel, and he opened up his body and slotted the ball perfectly into the far corner to put Chelsea 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 ahead on aggregate.

That goal means that, as things stand, we are set for an all-English Europa League final in Baku.

But, as we learned earlier this week, nothing is guaranteed at this point in the evening!

SMASH AND GRAB IN SPAIN!

Incredibly, Arsenal have sucker-punched Valencia with their first serious attack of the game and scored a priceless away goal!

Lacazette rose highest to flick on a long ball forward and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang burst through the heart of Valencia's back line to find the bottom corner.

It came totally against the run of play, but Arsenal won't care about that. It's an away goal, and the Gunners' two-goal advantage is restored.

It's 1-1 on the night, 4-2 Arsenal on aggregate.

IT SHOULD BE 2-0 IN SPAIN

Arsenal are getting battered here, and Valencia should have had a second, but Rodrigo's effort hit teammate Gameiro when it may well have threatened the Arsenal net.

It appears Valencia have identified Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a weak link on the right of Arsenal's defence, and he's getting exposed over and over again by the La Liga side's pacy attacks down his flank.

And just as we type this, Rodrigo hits an absolute missile of a half-volley that whistles inches past the post.

GAMEIRO LIGHTS THE TOUCH PAPER!

Kevin Gameiro slides in at the back post to finish a left-wing cross to put the home side ahead after just 11 minutes.

The La Liga side are absolutely bossing the action so far in Spain, and Arsenal simply can't get control of the game.

It's 1-0 Valencia on the night, 3-2 Arsenal on aggregate.

But somehow, we're not convinced that will be the final scoreline...

VALENCIA PRESSING EARLY

If the opening eight minutes at the Mestalla are anything to go by, Arsenal are in for a long night of defending in Valencia.

Guedes cut in and fired over from the left flank, but the home side are certainly dominating the early exchanges.

WE'RE OFF AND UNDERWAY

We'll keep you across the action in both games as the four teams battle it out in a bid to earn a place in the Europa League final in Baku later this month.

CHELSEA VS FRANKFURT LINEUPS

VALENCIA VS ARSENAL LINEUPS

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

It's another European matchday, and it's another big one.

Tonight, we have double the drama as BOTH UEFA Europa League semi-final second-leg matches are getting underway at the same time.

Chelsea will look to convert a 1-1 away draw in Frankfurt into an aggregate win at home at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal will look to protect their 3-1 home lead at the notoriously intimidating home of Valencia, the Mestalla.

We'll bring you live updates from both games throughout the night.