Benfica edge past Paris Saint-Germain to qualify for the quarter finals: UEFA Europa League
Benfica held Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the round-of-16 fixture of the UEFA Europa League at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening.
Benfica advance to the quarter finals after winning 3-2 on aggregate score, as the first leg ended 2-1 in favor of the Eagles.
PSG made wholesale changes to their starting line-up that lost in the first leg. Melvut Erdinc started upfront in a 4-5-1 formation for the hosts.
On the other hand, Benfica made only change to their team from the first leg; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-Martins-c8485 in the midfield for the visitors.
The hosts began the game with a quick attack and could have scored in the opening minute but Christophe Jallet’s header missed the target by few inches. PSG dominated the early proceedings and created some decent openings.
Moments later, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabio-c13152 Coentrao made a lovely run from the left-flank before firing his shot over the bar from 12 yards. Both teams played the game on equal footing as neither of them could convert their half chances.
Benfica managed to open the scoring in the 27th minute; Nicolas Gaitan picked up a loose ball on the edge on the PSG penalty area and smacked his shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0 for the evening and 3-1 on aggregate.
PSG came close of an instant equalizer when Erdinc rushed forward into the box and his powerful low drive was nicely saved by Roberto.
The hosts managed to equalize in the 35th minute; Erdinc headed into the path of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Bodmer-c24679, who volleyed it from the edge of the box to make it 1-1 and 2-3 on aggregate.
Just before the half time whistle, the hosts came close of drawing level on aggregate score but Nene’s long range effort went flying over the bar.
Benfica dominated after the resumption of second half and looked to add another goal to seal the tie. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Saviola-c18090 missed the target by few inches with their efforts.
PSG’s best chance of the game came just after the hour mark, when Erdinc was fed with a pinpoint cross from the left but the Turkish striker struck an awful shot from two yards as the ball sailed over the bar.
The hosts dominated the possession with 61 percent of the share but they were made to rue for their wastefulness in front of the goal, as they slumped out of the tournament.
The draws for the quarter finals will take place on 18th March, Friday.
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