Utrecht are out of the Europa League after a 2-0 after extra time defeat to Zenit st Petersburg. The Russians progress 2-1 on aggregate.
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The excellent 1-0 win in Utrecht last week meant Erik ten Hag’s side traveled to Russia full of confidence that they could pull off a big upset. However, after only nine minutes, Aleksandr Kokorin leveled the tie, scoring from close range after a swift Zenit counter-attack.
Zenit remained on top throughout the first half but could not find another goal, and they were also denied a penalty for a foul by Ramon Leeuwin on Daler Kuzyayev. On the hour mark, Sebastián Driussi had an excellent opportunity to give Zenit the lead but he shinned the ball wide from close range. At the other end, Utrecht created some chances of their own but Andrei Lunev saved well from Zakaria Labyad, while Sander van der Streek couldn’t find the target with a header.
The game headed for extra-time, and on the stroke of half-time in the first period, Kokorin put Zenit ahead in the tie from close range after good work by Dmitry Poloz. Utrecht thought they had found a crucial away goal just before the end but van de Streek’s effort was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Despite a valiant effort, Utrecht’s Europa League adventure ends in Russia.
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