Europa League Result: Napoli 1-1 Dnipro

Rafael Benitez’s men took a deserved lead through David Lopez just after half-time but then conceded a controversial late goal from Yevhen Seleznyov

Napoli’s hopes of reaching the Europa League final took a hammer blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Dnipro in the first leg of their last-four tie at the San Paolo on Thursday.
David Lopez had put the home side in front at Stadio San Paolo with his first Napoli goal and the Serie A outfit looked nailed on for victory.
However, Yevhen Seleznyov came off the bench to net a close-range equaliser – and what could prove to be a crucial away goal – 10 minutes from time.
Napoli looked brightest early on and came close to an opener when Lorenzo Insigne struck the outside of the left-hand post.
Dnipro settled as the half progressed, but rarely threatened and it took Napoli little time to forge ahead after the interval.
Gonzalo Higuain spurned numerous chances to extend the advantage after Lopez had opened the scoring and Seleznyov pounced to punish that profligacy, denting Napoli’s hopes of reaching a first European final since 1989.
Both sides struggled to get a meaningful shot away in the opening stages, although Napoli were on the front foot and very nearly went ahead in the 10th minute when Insigne’s half-volley from 25 yards drifted wide via the post.
Napoli continued to look most likely to break the deadlock against a Dnipro side who were struggling to find fluency, but