Benfica have become the second Portuguese side to grab half-qualification into the Europa League semi finals. Jorge Jesus’s side crashed PSV 4-1 on Thursday at the Estadio da Luz. Salvio’s double proved to the crucial for the Portuguese’s side who managed to score two goals in each of the two halfs. PSV could only score a consolation goal with ten minutes left.
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Aimar brought the first lead for the home side in the 37th minute following a poor clearance from the Dutch who gifted the ball to the central midfielder to strike it through the keeper’s legs from nine yards. Despite PSV’s better start which found Berg missing a great opportunity in the early minutes, Fred Rutten’s side entered the locker-rooms scoreless.
Cardozo has also missed two big opportunities fro the hosts, first through a 25-yard powerful shot and then through another lovely strike which found him at the same time offside after half an hour of play. With seconds left from the first part, Salvio made it 2-0 following a quick action from the left. Coentrao beat his marking on the edge of the box to deliver a superb pass for Salvio who beat keeper Iwsakkson for the second time between two defenders and from close range.
As for the second half, it started the same way the first finished. Salvio completed his double just five minutes into the last half through a tremendous shot into the far post which followed an individual exquisite which found two defenders beaten. Salvio could have scored even a third one. The 64th minute brought a great chance for the midfielder whose finish was cleared by the Dutch defence. PSV got their second opportunity one minute later. Lens tried his luck through a bicycle kick which went just wide in the end.
Benfica broke back in the 67th minute. Cardozo beat his mark to thunder a dangerous shot just wide. Pieters was the first to see a yellow card three minutes later for a foul on Saviola. Meanwhile, Carsozo tried desperately to score at least one goal. The left-striker struck the ball in the side netting in the 70th minute. Berg, who was also chasing his first goal, missed his biggest chance of the night in the 77th minute, but finish was stopped by the Portuguese defence. Three substitutions have been made within two minutes right afterwards.
Fred Rutten replaced Berg and Pieters with Labyad and Wuytens respectively, while Jorge Jesus introduced Jara and Peixoto for Gaitain and Aimar. Labya made it 3-1 just seconds after being introduced. A cross from the left met the striker five yards out, hitting beyond keeper Roberto. But the last word belonged to Saviola who put Benfica back into a three-goal lead. Former Barcelona player was picked inside the box to thunder it into the roof of the net following an astonishing turn. 4-1 as Benfica can already think of the next superior phase.
Benfica Lisbon – Roberto; Coentrao, Jardel, Luisao, Pereira; Javi Garcia, Gaitan, Salvio, Aimar; Cardozo, Saviola. Reserves: Luis Filipe, Sidnel, F. Jara, C. Peixoto, Julio Cesar, Felipe Menezes, Alan Kardec.
PSV Eindhoven – Isaksson; Manolev, Marcelo, Bouma, Pieters; Engelaar, Hutchinson, Bakkal; Lens, Dzsudzsak, Berg. Reserves: Cassio, Z. Labyad, S. Wuytens, G. Zeefuik, S. Nijand, J. Vukovic, F. Rodriguez.
