LISBON (REUTERS) - Benfica's 19-year-old forward Joao Felix became the youngest player to score a Europa League hat-trick as he led them to a 4-2 win over 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in their quarter-final first leg on Thursday (April 11).
The Bundesliga side, who played with 10 men for almost an hour, were in danger of being blown away when Benfica went 4-1 up just after halftime but a second goal by substitute Goncalo Paciencia left the tie more finely balanced for the return.
Benfica coach Bruno Lage warned against getting carried away with the performance of Joao Fenix, who only made his first-team debut this season.
"If he hadn't scored tonight, everyone would have said he is off-form, but because he scored three, they say he is flying," said Lage.
"Let's take it easy, let him develop and enjoy himself. He has to go out and enjoy himself and that is what he has done. One day he will score three goals, the other he won't score any. He has to develop naturally."
Eintracht forward Luka Jovic, on loan from Benfica, missed two early chances as the Bundesliga side made a bright start before the game took a dramatic twist.
Joao Felix threaded a ball through the Eintracht defence to send Gedson Fernandes clear and he was pushed over from behind by Evan N'Dicka.
The referee judged that Fernandes had been denied a clear scoring chance, N'Dicka was sent off and Joao Felix calmly converted the penalty in the 21st minute.
Jovic equalised against his parent club in the 40th minute after Benfica were caught in possession but Joao Felix put the hosts back in front three minutes later with a low strike from 20 metres which caught keeper Kevin Trapp off guard.
Ruben Dias headed a third for Benfica after a corner was knocked on in the 50th minute and Joao Felix sidefooted the fourth four minutes later as the Eagles threatened to run riot.
Eintracht were not finished, however, and substitute Paciencia, raised at Benfica's arch-rivals Porto, put them back in the tie with a looping header from a corner in the 72nd.
"It feels like every shot they had went in despite me getting something on most of them," said Trapp.
"It's not a great feeling for a keeper because you're the one that has the responsibility to come to your team's rescue.
"We could have let our heads drop at 4-1, but we persevered and hopefully a 4-2 loss will be enough come the end of the second leg."
Football: Rangers out of Europa League, Eintracht fans run
FIFA moved a step closer on Friday to expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and hopes to confirm the plans in June if a suitable co-host can be found.
FIFA backs 48-team World Cup in 2022 - timesofmalta.com
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League on Friday, saying the changes would damage the thriving domestic game. Reported reforms being put
Football: Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions
WRAPUP 2-Soccer-Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up. * First defeat for Spurs in their new stadium Southampton guaranteed their survival with a thrilling 3-3 home
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up
Youngest local SPL Coach, 33, unfazed He earned the necessary certification to lead a professional local club six years ago. But the opportunity never came for Khidhir Khamis, until now.
Latest KHIDHIR KHAMIS | The Straits Times
LONDON (AFP) - Eden Hazard got here to Maurizio Sarri's rescue as the Chelsea megastar's superb late strike earned a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday (March 10). Sarri's facet were seconds clear of another harmful defeat after Raul Jimenez positioned Wolves ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw - Khaleej Times
How Reds learned from Man City - and what Klopp said after defeat Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now "When you lose games you analyse them more than when you
Football: Ryan Giggs hits back after Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Playing the OLE United way LONDON • With big names like Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane being bandied about, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as Manchester United manager has largely been seen as a stop-gap measure until the summer.
Forget 'the Man United way', let Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be
LONDON: Chelsea suffered a setback in their push for a Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League on Monday and tempers flared at the end of the match when Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands.
Football: Chelsea held 2-2 by Burnley, denting Champions
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg
Jan 26, 2019 · Atletico Madrid simply will not let Barcelona run away with La Liga's title. La Liga: Atletico Madrid win again to keep pressure on Barcelona - ProSoccerTalk Atletico Madrid simply will not let
Spanish La Liga | Atletico denied long-awaited win over Barca
Football: Violent England fans in Portugal an embarrassment to team and not welcome, says FA Police clash with England fans in a special fan zone set up for the Uefa Nations League finals in Porto
Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not
Mar 21, 2019 · Ronaldo learns fine for mocking Simeone with groin grab. By Nicholas Mendola Atletico Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Simeone 86th minute Trusty goal earns Philadelphia late road win.
La Liga - Ronaldo starts as Real Madrid fall to Real Betis
All eyes will be on whether 2017 Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin can shake off the "massive corkie" he picked up against the Cats, but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects his star midfielder to be available to take on the Crows. BARRETT Don't let North test Horse's loyalty, Swans "He (Martin) finished off the game.
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in India-Proteas clash
0 comments:
Post a Comment