Sevilla right back Aleix Vidal scored two goals and set up another to lead the titleholders to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in their Europa League semifinal first leg on Thursday.

Fiorentina had the better share of chances in the first half, but it was Vidal who struck first from long range in the 17th minute at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico made two good saves to stifle Fiorentina's attack before Vidal got his brace in the 52nd.

Vidal deflected on a ball in the 75th for substitute Kevin Gameiro to put the three-time champions close to the May 27 final in Warsaw.

"Fiorentina got here because they deserved to, but we stuck to our playing style in our stadium and we have earned a great result," Vidal said. "If I were to say the tie is still 50/50, I would be lying. But we can't relax because they can get a win by the same score we had today."

The return leg in Florence is next week.

Joaquin Sanchez, jeered by the Sevilla faithful for his past at crosstown rival Real Betis, was in inspired form from the start on the left side of Fiorentina's attack, and his pass for Mario Gomez produced the game's first scoring chance in the fifth.

Sevilla countered through left back Benoit Tremoulinas, and its opening goal came from a quick buildup on his side. The ball flowed through Jose Antonio Reyes and Victor "Vitolo" Machin before Carlos Bacca laid off for Vidal to rifle a long strike into the corner of the net.

"At home we had to impose our superiority on the flanks, and our effort was tremendous," Sevilla coach Unai Emery said.

Joaquin led the visitors' response two minutes later as he dribbled down the endline before setting up Matias Fernandez, who stunned teammates and opponents alike when he misfired from inside the six-yard box.

The match continued at a frenetic pace, but the Italian side had the best opportunities as both Fernandez and Mohamed Salah drew saves from close by goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

Sevilla doubled its lead when Vidal again arrived unmarked in a second wave.

Vidal, who Emery has converted from forward to speedy defender, received Vitolo's pass deep in Fiorentina's box, where he slotted the shot in after goalie Neto dove from his line expecting a cross.

Gameiro scored seconds after coming on when Tremoulinas broke down the left to cross for Vidal, who sent the ball on for the forward to put home.

The second half featured a scary head-to-head collision when Sevilla's Stephane Mbia slammed his forehead into the back of Milan Badelj's head. Both players were substituted with Badelj bleeding and Mbia holding his neck.

Ukrainian side Dnipro equalized late in the second half for a 1-1 draw at Napoli in the opening leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday.

Napoli midfielder David Lopez headed in a corner from Lorenzo Insigne in the 50th minute at San Paolo Stadium, and it was all Napoli until substitute forward Yevhen Seleznyov redirected in a cross at the far post nine minutes from time.

Insigne also hit the post early in the first half.

"We controlled the match but it was difficult to play against them. They're a squad that defends well," Lopez said. "Now we need to react and see about winning the next match.

"We had several chances and I think in the end the result wasn't fair. They produced only one shot on goal."

Napoli is aiming for its first European title since Diego Maradona led the southern club to the 1989 UEFA Cup, the predecessor to the Europa League. Dnipro is seeking its first continental trophy.

Dnipro coach Myron Markevych gave his squad only a 40 percent chance of reaching the final, but he may need to revise the percentage.

In the previous three rounds, Dnipro eliminated Olympiakos, Ajax, and Brugge.

Napoli's advancement could also be key toward convincing coach Rafa Benitez to stay.

Napoli sits fourth in Serie A, one spot out of the Champions League places, and needs to win the Europa League to be sure of qualifying for the competition next season.

Napoli controlled much of the match but had trouble creating chances against a solid Dnipro defense.

Insigne found the outside of the post with a long, looping shot 10 minutes in then was set up by Gonzalo Higuain in the 22nd but couldn't find the target.

After Insigne's goal, Higuain nearly doubled the lead but his angled shot was deflected wide with a quick reflex save from goalkeeper Denys Boyko.

Higuain had two more chances saved by Boyko in the 73rd and 78th, and then Seleznyov equalized a minute after coming on.

Artem Fedetskiy sent a low cross in from the left and Roman Bezus missed it but fellow substitute Seleznyov was on hand to tap it in.