Rafael Benitez’s Napoli all but booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a stunning 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in Germany last night.

Gonzalo Higuain scored the first before Marek Hamsik helped himself to a brace in the first leg of this last-eight clash.

Andre Schurrle almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but the former Chelsea man’s shot crashed back off the bar.

Substitute Manolo Gabbiadini piled on the misery as the visitors inflicted a first home defeat on their opponents since they lost to Everton in November.

Nicklas Bendtner grabbed a late consolation for the hosts, but they looked a completely different side to the one which brushed aside Inter in the last round.

There was still time for Gabbiadini to almost get a fifth for the visitors, only to be denied by the bar.

Four away goals and a three-goal cushion was still some effort, though, as Wolfsburg were left facing a Herculean task to try and turn the tie around in the second leg.

A glorious late strike from Denis Suarez helped Sevilla come from behind to beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in Spain.

The on-loan Barcelona forward was leaning back as he stretched to reach fellow substitute Stephane Mbia’s cross, but the resulting volley had a wicked loop on it to beat the goalkeeper in the 88th minute.

Fifteen minutes earlier, Carlos Bacca had headed Sevilla level, with Alexander Ryazantsev having put Zenit ahead after half an hour.

It seemed harsh on Zenit, who had enjoyed long spells on top but struggled to contain Sevilla in the brief spurts during which they did turn it on.

Substitute Khouma Babacar’s goal in stoppage-time gave Fiorentina a 1-1 draw and a crucial away goal in their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Dynamo Kiev.

The Italian side had started the game strongly, but were stung by Jeremain Lens’ deflected opener before half-time.

The Holland winger cut inside onto his favoured right foot and his 20-yard shot looped off the heel of Fernandez and over Neto.

The game tailed off in the second half – until the 92nd minute, when the contribution of Babacar dramatically altered the momentum of the tie.

Babacar came on for Mario Gomez to pep up their attack and it proved an inspired decision when, in stoppage time, Khacheridi headed Fernandez’s cross straight up in the air and the Senegal international remained alert to hook the ball over his head and into the net.

Babacar then volleyed away Younes Belhanda’s free-kick to snuff out the chance of a last-gasp Kiev goal.

Yesterday’s quarter-finals

Second legs: April 23.