SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 13 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
EF
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 18, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
B

2-0

Kostic (37'), Rode (67')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Frankfurt come back against Benfica to seal Europa League semi-final spot

:Headline: Result: Frankfurt come back against Benfica to seal Europa League semi-final spot: ID:356663: from db_amp
The Germans will take on Chelsea in the last four.

Eintracht Frankfurt wiped out a two-goal first-leg deficit to beat Benfica 2-0 in Germany and advance into the Europa League semi-finals on the away goals rule.

Filip Kostic and Sebastian Rode scored for the Bundesliga side as they clawed back to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate and then rode their luck to hold on for a last-four clash with Chelsea.

Having done the hard work, Frankfurt were left to thank goalkeeper Kevin Trapp for a brilliant fingertip save to deflect a late minute strike from Salvio on to a post.

But Frankfurt were deserving of their victory, having largely dominated the first period against opponents who seemed unsure about how to go about defending their 4-2 first-leg advantage.

Kostic forced the first save out of Benfica keeper Odisseas Vlachodimos after just eight minutes and the Croatian also came close from a corner as Frankfurt pressed.

Ante Rebic and Simon Falette also had chances for the hosts as Frankfurt's pressure pinned the visitors back deep in their own half.

Luka Jovic, causing plenty of problems down the flank, hit a long-range effort straight at Vlachodimos just past the half-hour mark, before Benfica's resistance finally crumbled five minutes later.

Mijat Gacinovic's initial effort rebounded and Kostic reacted quickest to slot it past the keeper, despite strong Benfica claims that the goalscorer had been offside in the build-up.

Benfica coach Bruno Lage was sent to the stands for protesting and it could have got worse for the visitors as Jovic headed just over the bar from a Kostic cross just before half-time.

Benfica began the second half looking brighter and Haris Seferovic should have converted a Felix cross shortly after the re-start.

Seferovic also had a poor shot easily saved by Trapp before Frankfurt rode the storm and regained the upper hand, Gacinovic shooting just wide them Rebic heading an effort over the bar.

Frankfurt grabbed their second goal after 67 minutes when the visitors failed to clear and the ball fell to Rode on the edge of the box and he drove it back past a helpless Vlachodimos.

Benfica could have salvaged their night late on when Felix headed on to the roof of the net and then Trapp summoned the excellent last-gasp saved which sent Frankfurt through.

amp_article__356663 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-04-19 07:41:15:
html db last update - 2021-01-27 00:18:12 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon25212275255065
2Benfica26204260213964
3Porto26184450183258
4Braga26165555342153
5Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes26155641271450
6MoreirenseMoreirense2612682827142
7AroucaArouca26104124337634
8FamalicaoFamalicao2561092430-628
9Gil Vicente2677123539-428
10BoavistaBoavista2677123351-1828
11Casa Pia2676132339-1627
12SC FarenseFarense2676133438-427
13Estrela Amadora2668122639-1326
14Estoril PraiaEstoril2674154249-725
15Rio AveRio Ave2641392635-925
16PortimonensePortimonense2665152453-2923
17Vizela2649132652-2621
18ChavesChaves2647152556-3119
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .