(Football news) Juventus fought really hard to draw 1-1 against Sporting on Thursday to win their quarterfinal 2-1 on aggregate and set up a semifinal mouth watering clash with Sevilla. Juventus from the get go were on the offensive as they took an early lead through midfielder Adrien Rabiot who scored from close range after just nine minutes following a corner.

Sporting’s talented English winger Marcus Edwards equalised from the penalty spot in the 20th minute when he sent Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way after Rabiot turned from hero to villain when he was tackled Manuel Ugarte in the penalty box. After the half time break Sporting started pressing more with confidence but defenders Ricardo Esgaio and Sebastian Coates squandered three very chances to level the tie but they couldn’t

The result was more good news for Juventus fans as they found out that their 15-point penalty which levied against them earlier in the season has been lifted, which subsequently moved Juventus up to third in the Serie A table. Juventus are going to face 6 times winner Sevilla in the semifinals on May 11 and 18 after the relegation-threatened Spanish side surprised everyone and knocked out Manchester United 5-2 on aggregate.

Sporting should have levelled the tie in the 35th minute when Ousmane Diomande connected with his header but somehow missed the target. Just before halftime, Nuno Santos tried to square the ball from the left but Juve defender Bremer blocked the threat. After the break Sporting squandered three golden opportunities to level the match.

Ruben Amorim’s side could have taken the lead in the 75th minute when Esgaio when his volley flew over the bar, while Coates then went on to spurn two more chances minutes from time. Sporting have gone five European matches without a win in the club’s history, having recorded two losses and two draws in their previous four matches. As they have lost each of their last seven matches against Italian clubs.

Also read: Sevilla thrash Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League