Rolando’s extra-time strike sends Marseille past Salzburg and into Europa League final

RB Salzburg 2-1 Marseille (agg 2-3): The Ligue 1 team led 2-0 from the first leg but were pegged back by the hosts, who almost repeated their heroics of the previous round

Rolando celebrates his winning strike in extra-time (Getty Images)

A late goal in extra-time by veteran defender Rolando sent Olympique de Marseille through to their first Europa League final after a 3-2 aggregate victory over a spirited Salzburg side who won the semi-final second leg 2-1 on Thursday.

The Ligue 1 team led 2-0 from the first leg in France but were pegged back by hosts Salzburg, who almost repeated their comeback heroics of the previous round.

After a quiet first half, the Austrians took the lead on the night through a brilliant solo strike by the influential Amadou Haidara before Bouna Sarr's own goal made it 2-0.

With the tie level on aggregate, the match went to extra-time and neither side could find an opening until a Dimitri Payet corner found Portuguese defender Rolando with four minutes left.

Salzburg had Haidara sent off as they chased another goal in vain and Marseille will play Atletico Madrid in the final in Lyon on 16 May.

Reuters