FRANKFURT, Germany (REUTERS) - Eintracht Frankfurt beat Benfica 2-0 on Thursday (April 18) to overturn a 4-2 first leg deficit and advance to the Europa League last four on the away goal rule for their first European semi-final appearance in 39 years.
Goals from Filip Kostic and Sebastian Rode were enough to put them through and they will next face Chelsea, who beat Slavia Prague.
Eintracht, German Cup winners last season, reached their first semi-final in a European competition since winning the UEFA Cup back in 1980 by punishing their opponents' passive approach.
The Portuguese, finalists in 2013 and 2014, were largely toothless, content to sit back and soak up the pressure but with little to show for up front until after Eintracht's second goal in the 67th minute.
"The whole team did it great and it was not easy," said match winner Rode.
"We promised ourselves to come out fighting and to soak up the atmosphere. The fans pushed us. We are delighted to have advanced."
Benfica initially did well to keep Frankfurt's attack at bay.
They could do nothing though when unmarked Filip Kostic fired in on the rebound after Mijat Gacinovic's effort bounced off the post in the 37th.
The German club, one of four former winners of the trophy in this season's quarter-finals, along with Chelsea, Napoli and Valencia, needed only one more goal to advance to the last four.
However, it was Benfica's first leg hat-trick hero Joao Felix who came close in the 48th minute. He shook off two markers, cut back into the box from the left but his effort was deflected narrowly wide by Frankfurt defender Simon Falette.
That was to be the visitors' only real chance and Rode settled the tie for the hosts when he drilled in from the edge of the box.
Benfica hit the post in the 85th but could not find the goal that would send them through.
Atletico Madrid left it late to see off Girona 2-0 at home on Tuesday as strikes from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept up their faint hopes of catching La Liga leaders Barcelona, trimming
Late Godin and Griezmann goals keep Atletico in title chase
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels the Sky Blues' upcoming opponents Everton are a top side this season and the clash with the Toffees will not be easy. Marco Silva's side are seventh
Pep Guardiola - Manchester City's new signings could be more
It's not hard to see why Pochettino — and Spurs fans — will miss him when he sets off for the AFC Asian Cup with South Korea. In fact, here is a collection of stats as a reminder of Son's quality. Check them out below.
Pochettino reveals whether appeal of Son's red card was
Manchester City took a huge step towards retaining the Premier League title as a 2-0 win at Manchester United on Wednesday took them a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the table with three games to go. Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane struck for the visitors in 12 second-half minutes at Old
City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top - The
thenigerianexpression.com/2019/04/25/city-inflict-more-pain-on-man-utd-to-go-back-top/
City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top By The Nigerian Expression on April 25, 2019 Manchester(UK), April 25, 2019 (TNE) Manchester City took a big step towards retaining the Premier League title as they beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Man City Inflict More Pain On Man Utd To Top Premier League
Griezmann on target again as Atletico edge closer to Barca World Cup winner has eight goals, helping Simeone's side to register their sixth win in seven league matches By AFP
Griezmann on target again as Atletico edge closer to Barca
Why do guys play hard to get? Well, boys can be so confusing, honestly. And when it comes to feelings, it can be hard to tell where they stand. Now, you may be wondering, why do guys play hard to get if they know I like them? This is the million dollar question. But don't worry, I have some answers for you.
37 Inspiring Quotes About Working Hard and Achieving Big
Recalling Origi's "lucky goal", the Portuguese manager also mocked the manner in which the Reds boss celebrated the win as if it "was the final of a World Cup". EVERTON V LIVERPOOL Singtel TV
When the Reds will compete in the Club World Cup
Football News: A goal by Michail Antonio ensured West Ham United became the first visiting team to win at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium as Mauricio Pochettino's th
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
British crash investigators on Tuesday launched an underwater operation to recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala in the Channel. UK rescuers
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
Learn how & where to find the right spark plug and a gap chart to guide you through gapping spark plugs in this Briggs & Stratton small engine FAQ.
Adobe Spark Video - Transform your ideas into visual stories
parent company is a PIE and irrespective of whether its parent is outside the EU. The definition of a "public interest entity" varies across member states. Special caution should be exercised when considering the definition of PIE in any member state. Refer to the 2014 survey5 published by the Federation of European
Liverpool and Milan are set to fight it out for Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, reports suggest. French newspaper L'Equipe believe that the Rossoneri are preparing a €15m bid for the 23-year-old defender as they look to strengthen their backline before the end of the transfer window.
Fabio Quagliarella became the oldest ever player to score for Italy as the 36-year-old converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
Quagliarella, 36, sets Italian record as oldest scorer
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. According to British media reports, Chelsea are
Bundesliga: Chelsea target Christian Pulisic not for sale in
0 comments:
Post a Comment