Osasuna claim victory in UEFA Cup semi-final

Osasuna 1 Sevilla 0

Osasuna claimed the upper hand in their UEFA Cup semi-final against holders Sevilla after recording a deserved victory in tonight's first leg.

Roberto Soldado scored the only goal of the all-Spanish clash in the 55th minute as hosts Osasuna, playing in their first-ever semi-final, built a narrow lead to take to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for next week's second leg.

Sevilla came out stronger at the start of the second half and Luis Fabiano soon had the ball in the Osasuna net, although the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.

It was not long after that disallowed goal that Osasuna took the lead in what was a bitter-sweet moment for striker Soldado.

The match was then stopped for around 10 minutes after referee Eric Braamhaar was unable to continue, with fourth official Peter Vink taking over in the middle.

That break gave Sevilla a chance to re-group and, having weathered the Osasuna storm, they very nearly claimed a late equaliser when substitute Alexander Kerzhakov's shot from an Alves cross looped just inches over the bar.

Kanoute then drew a last-gasp save out of Ricardo as Osasuna held on for the victory.