Luca Toni scored two goals in the last five minutes of extra-time to earn Bayern Munich a 3-3 draw at Getafe and a place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals.
Getafe took a 3-1 lead when Javier Casquero scored in the first minute of extra-time and Braulio Nobrega added a goal in the third.
Toni pulled Bayern within a goal after Getafe goalkeeper Pato Abbondanzieri lost control of the ball in the penalty area and left the ball at his feet.
Then, with seconds remaining Jose Ernesto Sosa crossed to the far post, and Toni headed the ball into the net for his 10th goal of the tournament.
That left the match tied 4-4, with Bayern advancing 3-1 on away goals.
“I have to compliment Getafe and Laudrup as they played a great game and were on the point of humiliating us. They were the best team tonight,” said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Getafe coach Michael Laudrup said his team was desperately disappointed at the manner of their exit.
“It is difficult to pick ourselves up after this but life goes on and after a couple of days the team will realise that they did something incredible out there,” said the Dane.
In the semi-finals, Bayern will face Zenit St. Petersburg, who advanced 4-2 on aggregate despite losing to visiting Bayer Leverkusen 1-0.
Zenit coach Dick Advocaat described the achievement as a ‘historic moment’ for the club.
“First of all, it is a historic moment for our club to reach the semi-finals,” he stated. “Fully deserved, I must say.
“I don’t really care who we play in the next round. It is too early to think about winning the UEFA Cup but we definitely have a chance. At the moment, though, I’m just pleased to be in the semi-finals.”
Elsewhere, Fiorentina won 2-0 at PSV Eindhoven on two goals by Adrian Mutu to advance 3-1 on aggregate.
“This was a great achievement but Mutu and (Giampolo) Pazzini made the difference tonight,” Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli said afetrwards.
“Our attitude was very positive and that was the difference compared to the match in Florence.”
The Italian club will meet Rangers, who produced probably the shock of the round by winning 2-0 at Sporting Lisbon courtesy of goals by Jean-Claude Darcheville and Steven Whittaker.
Rangers manager Walter Smith expressed his delight at leading the club to their first European semi-final in 36 years.
He said: “Obviously we’re delighted to be in the semi finals. We worked very hard and played really well right from the off.
“I always thought we looked as we could get that killer pass which could gives us a goal but we never quite got there.
“Thankfully eventually we did get one to get the goal and then it was a terrific run by Steven for the second goal.
“Jean-Claude was excellent again and he’s beginning to get to the level of fitness he’s been trying to reach all season. We knew if we played as we did do in terms of possession and get up close to him we could get him running in on goal.
