Benfica got through some difficult moments on Philips stadium as PSV threatened with an asotnishing turnover. Fred Ruttenţs side le the Portuguese 2-0 at one point in the first half to go just one goal from a spot into the semi finals. Unfortunatelz fur the Dutch, Benfica scored a couple of goals to leave with a 2-2 draw which have propelled them into the last four term. Dzsudzsak opened the score for the home side, while Lens made it 2-0 just ten minutes later. On the other side, Benfica’s rescue came from Luisao and Cardozo who scored a precious goal in the second half from penalty.
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The night started with PSV receiving a yellow card through Tamata who took down Salvio around the box area. A poor ball control from Marcelo highlighted the same Salvio in the tenth minute, but the right midfielder’s shot was saved by keeper Isaksson. PSV broke back five minutes later through Lens whose finish should have tested keeper Roberto more serious. The 17th minute found him feeding Dzsudzsak inside the box, the striker beating Roberto with a lovely shot into the roof of the net.
Lens himself would score in the 25th minute. Dutch’s striker beat the offside trap only to strike straight to Roberto. Fortunately, keeper’s poor saving allowed Lens grab back the ball and put it home in what has been the turning point of the game as PSV were approaching a big surprise. But almost against the game way, Benfica broke their impetus and scored their first goal with two minutes to go. Luisao took advantage of a poor saving from Isaksson to strike it into the top corner through a half-bicycle volley. The half time went 2-1 as PSV were condemned to score two more goals in the second one.
Concerning the last part, it found the Dutch putting more pressure and struggling much harder for a miracle. Five minutes into it, Dzsudzsak’s cross was poorly cleared by Luisao, the loose ball coming to Labyad whose finish reached the stands. The 58th minute highlighted Lens missing another big chance for the home side, his strike going just wide from good position. Benfica’s reply came just seconds later as Gaitan’s powerful shot was denied by a vigilant Isaksson. Luisao was then inches from a second goal. The Portuguese won a corner on the right the defender headed wide.
But the disaster was yet to come for the Dutch. Marcelo took down Cesar Peixoto inside the box as the referee showed the white spot. Cardozo converted the penalty straight in the middle of the goal with keeper Isaksson flying to the right. It went 2-2 as Benfica are the second Portuguese side to reach the semi finals after FC Porto. They will next play Sporting Braga who also have reached the last four after ousting Dynamo Kyiv on away goals. The first leg is scheduled to take place on April 28 at the Estadio da Luz, while the second one on May 5 at the Municipal de Braga.
Benfica left with 12 attempts on goal, five corners and 17 fouls, while PSV, who were expected to dominated, had just nine attempts on goal, two corners and seven offside positions. They would also commit 19 fouls.
PSV – Isaksson; Tamata, Rodriguez, Marcelo, Manolev; Wuytens, Bakkal; Dzsudzsak, Hutchinson, Labyad; Lens. Reserves: Cassio, D. Wuytens, S. marzo, M. Berg, G. Zeefulk, J. Vukovic, S. Nijland.
Benfica – Roberto; Pereira, Luisao, Jardel, Coentrao; Salvio, Javi Garcia, Peixoto, Gaitan; Saviola, Cardozo. Reserves: Airton, Sidnei, Alan Kardec, F. JARA, P. Aimar, Julio Cesar, C. Martins.
