Spanish side, Valencia produced a five star performance in their quarter-final tie at home to Basel to overtune a three goasl deficit and win the encounter 5-0 on the night, 5-3 on aggregate and book their place in the semi finals stage of this year's Europa League
It is a record making night for the home side as no side has ever come from three goals down to win a knockout tie since the advent of the Europa League, but Paco Alcacer's hat-trick and a goal from Vargas and another from Bernat secured the extraordinary victory over nine men Basel at the Mestalla.
Valencia, was without Diego Alves, Philippe Senderos and Victor Ruiz, and they struggled to find a way through a resolute Basel defence that had only conceded once in their last five Europa League games.
A frustrated home crowd were brought to life seven minutes before the break, however, when a nicely-weighted pass from Joao Pereira found Alcacer, who beat the offside trap before controlling the ball superbly with his chest and stroking home with a half volley cool finish from close range.
The lead could have been doubled four minutes later but Basel goalkeeper, Yann Sommer pulled a superb save to keep out Vargas' point-blank header, turning it over the bar.
Valencia finally got the second from the resulting corner as Vargaz rose highest to turn home a Daniel Parejo's delivery into the top-right corner.
The Chilean should have been celebrating again nine minutes after the break when he burst through the heart of the visitors' defence to force an inspired save from Sommer, before clattering the rebound off the post from a tight angle.
Sommer was called into action again on 66 minutes, tipping Alcacer's curling effort from 20 yards onto the crossbar.
Alcacer and Vargaz struck the woodwork after the break as Valencia desperately sought to level the tie, and they eventually did so in the 70th minute through Alcacer.
A long ball was brought down by Vargas before He set up Alcacer on the edge of the area to lash home an unstoppable shot via the underside of the crossbar.
Alcacer should have completed the comeback in the 88th minute but was denied by Sommer, before Vargas slid in to strike the post yet again.
Basel were thanking Sommer once more within the first three minutes of extra-time, the goalkeeper this time denying Parejo after some good work down the left from Bernat.
The visitors lost their composure and Diaz saw red for an off-the-ball incident before Sauro picked up two bookings in a minute.
Alcacer duly converted a low cross from substitute Pablo Piatti at the near post to give Valencia the lead with just seven minutes of extra-time remaining.
A famous win was then completed in style when Bernat found himself on the edge of the box, before producing a cool finish to secure his side's place in the semi-finals.
At other venues, Juventus put in a dominant display to ward off Lyon 2-1 on the night, 3-2 on aggregate, Sevilla overcame Porto 4-2 on aggregate, Benfica was better than AZ, 2-0.
The draws for the semi final stage of the competition will be done Friday.
Valencia, was without Diego Alves, Philippe Senderos and Victor Ruiz, and they struggled to find a way through a resolute Basel defence that had only conceded once in their last five Europa League games.
A frustrated home crowd were brought to life seven minutes before the break, however, when a nicely-weighted pass from Joao Pereira found Alcacer, who beat the offside trap before controlling the ball superbly with his chest and stroking home with a half volley cool finish from close range.
The lead could have been doubled four minutes later but Basel goalkeeper, Yann Sommer pulled a superb save to keep out Vargas' point-blank header, turning it over the bar.
Valencia finally got the second from the resulting corner as Vargaz rose highest to turn home a Daniel Parejo's delivery into the top-right corner.
The Chilean should have been celebrating again nine minutes after the break when he burst through the heart of the visitors' defence to force an inspired save from Sommer, before clattering the rebound off the post from a tight angle.
Sommer was called into action again on 66 minutes, tipping Alcacer's curling effort from 20 yards onto the crossbar.
Alcacer and Vargaz struck the woodwork after the break as Valencia desperately sought to level the tie, and they eventually did so in the 70th minute through Alcacer.
A long ball was brought down by Vargas before He set up Alcacer on the edge of the area to lash home an unstoppable shot via the underside of the crossbar.
Alcacer should have completed the comeback in the 88th minute but was denied by Sommer, before Vargas slid in to strike the post yet again.
Basel were thanking Sommer once more within the first three minutes of extra-time, the goalkeeper this time denying Parejo after some good work down the left from Bernat.
The visitors lost their composure and Diaz saw red for an off-the-ball incident before Sauro picked up two bookings in a minute.
Alcacer duly converted a low cross from substitute Pablo Piatti at the near post to give Valencia the lead with just seven minutes of extra-time remaining.
A famous win was then completed in style when Bernat found himself on the edge of the box, before producing a cool finish to secure his side's place in the semi-finals.
At other venues, Juventus put in a dominant display to ward off Lyon 2-1 on the night, 3-2 on aggregate, Sevilla overcame Porto 4-2 on aggregate, Benfica was better than AZ, 2-0.
The draws for the semi final stage of the competition will be done Friday.
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