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Saturday, Mar 10, 2007
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Maresca's penalty saves Sevilla

LONDON: Enzo Maresca's penalty, two minutes from the end, salvaged a 2-2 draw for defending UEFA Cup champion Sevilla against Shakhtar Donetsk in a game which saw three successful spot kicks.

Sevilla, on top of the Spanish league, seemed to be moving confidently towards a place in the last eight when Jose Luis Marti scored with an eighth-minute penalty at Stadio Pizjuan on Thursday. But, the Ukraine team hit back with Tomas Hubschman's 19th-minute equaliser and a 60th-minute penalty by Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem.

Maresca, who started his professional career with West Bromwich Albion in England and then moved to Italian soccer powerhouse Juventus, made it 2-2 from the spot two minutes from the final whistle after he was fouled by Olexiy Gay. However, Shakhtar has the slight advantage of two away goals when the teams meet again in Donetsk next Thursday.

On a poor day for the four Spanish clubs trying to reach the last eight, Osasuna conceded an injury time equaliser to finish 1-1 against Glasgow Rangers.

The results (round of 16, first leg): Braga lost to Tottenham 2-3; Celta Vigo lost to Werder Bremen 0-1; Lens bt Bayer Leverkusen 2-1; Maccabi Haifa drew with Espanyol 0-0; Newcastle bt AZ Alkmaar 4-2; Paris Saint-Germain bt Benfica 2-1; Rangers drew with Osasuna 1-1; Sevilla drew with Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2. — AP

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