Valencia’s Vargas has the last laugh against Díaz

Eduardo Vargas was the clear winner of his ´battle of the Chileans´ against Marcelo Díaz in the Europa League.

Spain – Midfielder Díaz was a happy man after his Basel team won the home leg of their quarter-final against Valencia by a comfortable 3-0 margin.

However, striker Vargas had the last laugh when Valencia thrashed the Swiss side 5-0 after extra-time last night to book their place in the semi-finals.

Valencia´s magnificent comeback got underway when Paco Alcacer scored in the 38^th minute and the Spaniards were right back in the tie when Vargas netted with a brilliant header four minutes later.

Former Gremio striker Vargas teed up Alcacer for a spectacular third in the 70^th minute to level the tie on aggregate.

Díaz´s night took a turn for the worse when he was sent off for a petulant kick in the 105^th minute. The Chilean international was one of two Basel players dismissed.

Valencia took full advantage with Alcacer completing his hat-trick in the 113^th minute and Juan Bernat wrapping things up three minutes later.

Valencia will meet fellow Spanish side Sevilla in the semi-finals (April 24 and May 1).

It opens the path to a potential clash of Chileans in the final. Juventus, who feature Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla, take on Benfica in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, Chile´s last representatives in the Copa Libertadores, Unión Española, will meet Argentina´s Arsenal de Sarandí in the last 16.

Unión had the worst record of the teams that won their groups, while Arsenal were the best runner-up. If the rojos progress, they will meet Argentina´s Velez Sarsfield (the best group winner) or Paraguay´s Nacional (the runner-up with the worst record) in the quarter-finals.

Unión are away to Arsenal in the first leg on Thursday, April 24 (9.15pm) and then host the second leg at Santa Laura on the following Thursday, May 1, also at 9.15pm.

Tags: Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas, Football, Marcelo Díaz, Mauricio Isla, Unión Española