Juventus draw with Sporting to book Europa League semifinal spot

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Juventus drew 1-1 with Sporting in an entertaining Europa League clash on Thursday to win their quarterfinal 2-1 on aggregate and set up a semifinal clash with Sevilla.

Juventus took an early lead through midfielder Adrien Rabiot who netted from close range after nine minutes following a corner.

Sporting winger Marcus Edwards equalised from the penalty spot in the 20th minute when he sent Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way with a strike into the middle of the goal after Rabiot was penalised for a tackle on Manuel Ugarte.

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A lively clash continued after the break as Sporting pressed with confidence for possession but defenders Ricardo Esgaio and Sebastian Coates squandered three late chances to level the tie.

The result was more good news for Juventus on a day when they found out that a 15-point penalty levied against them earlier in the season had been lifted, moving the Turin club up to third in the Serie A table.

Juventus will meet Sevilla in the semifinals on May 11 and 18 after the Spanish side knocked out Manchester United 5-2 on aggregate.

Sporting came close to taking a surprise lead and levelling the tie in the 35th minute when defender Ousmane Diomande connected with a corner but his header narrowly missed the target.

Just before halftime, Sporting winger Nuno Santos tried to square the ball inside the box coming from the left but Juve defender Bremer blocked the threat right in front of the diving Szczesny.

After the break Sporting pressed with confidence for possession but they squandered three more opportunities to level the match.

Ruben Amorim's side should have found the net in the 75th minute when defender Esgaio latched on to a pass on the edge of the box only to see his volley fly over the bar, while Coates spurned two more chances minutes from time.

Sporting have now completed a run of five home European matches without a win for the first time in the club's history, having recorded two losses and two draws in their previous four.

They have lost each of their last seven ties with Italian clubs.