Benfica advanced to the final of the UEFA Europa League with a highly entertaining 3-1 win over Turkish side Fenerbahce on Thursday to go through 3-2 on aggregate.
Facing a 1-0 deficit in their semifinal tie after losing in Turkey last week, Benfica came out fighting early in the match. From the outset, they controlled the pace of play and maintained good possession during a lively first half. After missing on a few chances in the early minutes, Benfica got on the score sheet with Nicolas Gaitan expertly flicking home a low cross from dynamic attacker Lima in the 9th minute.
But the contest took an unexpected turn in the 22nd minute seemingly out of nothing. French official Stephane Lannoy had some difficult calls to make throughout the match and in a huge decision, he called a handball on Benfica’s Ezequiel Garay. Dirk Kuyt buried the penalty kick low to the left to put Fenerbahce ahead 2-1 on aggregate and give them a crucial away goal.
Cardozo breaks out
But Fenerbahce had no answer for Benfica’s prolific striker Oscar Cardozo, and it proved to be their undoing. From the outset, Cardozo made his impact felt, with several chances to score throughout the first half. He opened his account in the 35th minute off a quickly-taken free kick, catching the Fenerbahce backline off guard. Cardozo did well to cut the ball back and place it perfectly into the right corner of the net with his favoured left foot.
Ahead in the match, but still behind in the aggregate on away goals, Benfica continued to press for a third goal that would see them through to the final. But Fenerbahce nearly struck back again on a cross, just missed by forward Moussa Sow – who was threatening despite a lack of offensive support – and hit into the side netting by Kuyt.
Second half heroics
Rather than push for an insurance goal, Fenerbahce really seemed to invite Benfica to attack as the second half got underway. And they actually contained them well early on, with the Portuguese side unable to generate enough movement in possession to seriously threaten. As the half went on, however, one got the feeling that it was only a matter of time before Benfica broke the deadlock. Cardozo came close to scoring again in the 50th minute, curling a shot just wide of the post.
Finally, off a long throw-in from Salvio, one of several that troubled Fenerbahce’s defence on the night, the ball fell to Cardozo, who coolly volleyed home the decisive strike in the tie. A late half-chance on a header from Fenerbahce defender Egeman Korkmaz was as close as the Turkish side would come, and Benfica is through to take on Chelsea in the Europa League Final on May 15 in Amsterdam.
Three stars
Oscar Cardozo, Benfica – An excellent performance from the Paraguayan forward, who scored his 29th and 30th goals in all competitions this year and threatened to score several other times throughout the match.
Nicolas Gaitan, Benfica – Hugely influential in the midfield and his flick on Benfica’s first tally was terrific.
Lima, Benfica – Formed quite the dynamic duo with Cardozo throughout the match and provided excellent service in setting up the opening goal.
Elsewhere: Chelsea Books Ticket to Final
In the day’s other decisive semifinal match, Chelsea romped to a 3-1 home win over FC Basel, winning 5-2 on aggregate.
Basel’s spirits were high after leveling the tie 2-2 on aggregate on a nicely taken goal from Mohammed Salah. But due to away goals, Basel needed to win the match to go on. Their hopes were dashed when the Blues answered with three goals of their own in the second half, including a world-class screamer from defender David Luiz, to march to a comfortable win at Stamford Bridge.
In a disappointing campaign for the Blues that’s been filled with twists and turns, supporter unrest and lacklustre form, the Europa League is the club’s only chance at picking up some silverware in 2013.
Both Benfica and Chelsea’s semifinal ties were very entertaining affairs, so supporters and neutrals alike can hope for an entertaining final when the teams square off in a couple of weeks with Europa League glory on the line.