Sevilla beats Karpaty 4-0 in Europa League

Alejandro Alfaro scored twice as Sevilla routed Karpaty 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Alvaro Negredo came close to scoring in the eighth minute when he hit a powerful header in front of goal after a pinpoint cross from Diego Capel but the ball sailed just wide.

One minute later Negredo raced up to the left corner and crossed high for Alfaro to head in near the right post.

Midfielder Luca Cigarini hit a direct free kick which rose over the wall, shaved the lower edge of the crossbar and hit the back of the net in the 31st for Sevilla's second goal.

Alfaro rose to meet a fast ricochet off the crossbar and headed into goal in the 42nd. Nine minutes later Negredo pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to score Sevilla's fourth.

Sevilla was without winger Jesus Navas, who had ankle surgery on Thursday and will be sidelined for six weeks, doctor Mikel Sanchez said at Vitoria Hospital.

Karpaty came close to pulling one back when Artem Fedetskiy hit the crossbar with an overhead kick in injury time.