Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk hold off Napoli to reach their first European final

Dnipro advanced to their first European final after Yevhen Seleznyov's second-half header gave them a 2-1 aggregate win over Napoli in the Europa League.

Having scored late on in the first leg, the Ukrainian side held a slender advantage heading back to Kiev courtesy of an away goal, and they improved on that with a 1-0 win that sets up a final against four-time winners Sevilla in Warsaw.

Napoli, who had perhaps been favourites to advance after dominating the first leg before conceding late on, were out of the blocks quickly once again and should have taken an early lead as the hosts sought to protect their advantage.

Gonzalo Higuain was the main culprit. He should have opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes after he was sent through by a superb pass from Gokhan Inler, but the Argentina striker hit a tame effort at Denys Boyko, who saved well to turn it behind.

The home side were clinging on to begin with, and were forced into targeting set-pieces to make an impact while trying to disrupt the early tempo set by the visitors.

However, Higuain continued to pose a threat with his intelligent runs in behind the defence, and almost provided a perfect cross for Jose Callejon only for Leo Matos to head behind, before Higuain saw a header of his own well-saved once again by Boyko as the pair carried on their duel from the first leg.

AP Images/Sergei Chuzavkov

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Dnipro were lucky to escape the first period without conceding a penalty as Jaba Kankava hauled Christian Maggio to the floor, but could have edged in front as Seleznyov's long-range effort was well tipped round the post by Mariano Andujar.

Myron Markevych's side came out in a more positive frame of mind after the break, with Yevhen Konoplyanka growing into the game on the left wing.

The Ukrainian winger gave a warning of his dribbling skills before again beating two defenders to stand up a cross to the centre of the area, where Seleznyov was able to hold off the challenge from Raul Albiol to head over a stranded Andujar.

Rafael Benitez's side grew desperate in the closing stages, and the Spanish coach sent on captain Marek Hamsik from the bench along with Dries Mertens but they could not find their way past an increasingly assured Boyko.

Higuain again saw an effort turned away from goal with just over 10 minutes to go, but in the end it was Dnipro who looked the more likely to score.

Nikola Kalinic had a shot well-saved on the break before Matheus headed against the bar in stoppage time when he should have extended the lead before the whistle was finally blown to send Dnipro through.