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Europa League | Round-Of-16
Mar 20, 2014 at 8.05pm UK
 
Porto

2-2

Pandev (21'), Zapata (90')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Ghilas (69'), Quaresma (76')

Porto edge past Napoli to progress

Porto draw 2-2 with Napoli to secure a 3-2 aggregate success in their Europa League last-16 tie.

Porto have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Europa League thanks to a 2-2 draw with Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

The Portuguese side, who claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg a week ago, could have doubled their advantage in the early stages of the first half but Carlos Eduardo failed to hit the target with his header from close range.

However, it was Napoli who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute as Gonzalo Higuain split the visiting defence to find Goran Pandev, who held his nerve to chip the ball over Fabiano.

Goran Pandev of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Porto at Stadio San Paolo on March 20, 2014© Getty Images

Rafael Benitez's side had good opportunities to move ahead in the tie, with Lorenzo Insigne striking an effort just wide before seeing another shot well saved by Fabiano early in the second half.

The home crowd were silenced in the 69th minute of the match when substitute Nabil Ghilas broke free of the Napoli defence to collect Fernando's pass and slot a crucial away goal past Pepe Reina.

Nabil Ghilas of FC Porto scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between SSC Napoli and FC Porto at Stadio San Paolo on March 20, 2014© Getty Images

Porto could have made it 2-1 just moments later but Steven Defour could only hit the post after finding space inside the box.

However, the visitors didn't have to wait much longer for a second goal as Ricardo Quaresma extended their lead further by beating two defenders before firing an unstoppable shot past a helpless Reina.

Napoli refused to give up the fight and managed to level the scores on the night at 2-2 when Duvan Zapata converted a Jose Callejon cross in stoppage time but it proved to be too little, too late as Porto secured their progress in the competition.

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Porto's Jackson Martinez celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Napoli during their Europa League match on March 13, 2014
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