MX23RW : Friday, November 8 20:39:42| >> :600:105640:105640:
[monks data]
Benfica
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 11, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Eintracht Frankfurt logo

4-2

Felix (21' pen., 43', 54'), Dias (50')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jovic (40'), Paciencia (72')
N'Dicka (20')

Record-breaking wonderkid Joao Felix helps Benfica put one foot in semi-finals

Wonderkid Felix helps Benfica put one foot in semis
© Reuters
Teenager becomes youngest player to net a Europa League treble.

Joao Felix scored a hat-trick as Benfica beat 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg clash.

The 19-year-old striker delivered a memorable display in Lisbon as the Portuguese club took a commanding advantage into next week's return encounter.

He became the youngest player in Europa League history to net a treble, while Ruben Dias also scored for the hosts.

The visitors had defender Enda N'Dicka sent off by English referee Anthony Taylor for a foul after 21 minutes.

Luka Jovic had equalised Felix's opener, and Frankfurt did not fall completely away, with substitute Goncalo Paciencia's late goal giving them a glimmer of hope.

Benfica boss Bruno Lage left out top scorer and former Frankfurt striker Haris Seferovic, who had to be content with a place among the substitutes, while captain Andre Almeida was rested and replaced by Sebastien Corchia.

A groin strain sidelined Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller, but defender N'Dicka and midfielder Sebastian Rode were recalled.

Referee Taylor was soon called into action, booking Jovic, who is on loan from Benfica, for a foul on Rafa Silva after just four minutes.

Frankfurt dominated the early stages, effortlessly keeping possession, but it all unravelled after 21 minutes as N'Dicka conceded a penalty and was red-carded.

He could have no complaints at Taylor's decision following his challenge on last man Gedson Fernandes, and Felix stepped up to beat Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and put Benfica ahead.

Ante Rebic then followed Jovic by picking up a booking, and Frankfurt knew they had to regroup quickly following the penalty setback and seeing N'Dicka sent off.

But they responded impressively, drawing level five minutes before the break after Benfica's Ljubomir Fejsa lost possession, Rode found Rebic and his cross was met by Jovic, who swept the ball home.

Frankfurt were level, though, for just four minutes, with Felix claiming his second – this time with a 25-yard shot – to leave Frankfurt trailing once more.

An eventful first half ended after Frankfurt had a goal disallowed. Filip Kostic netted from the edge of the penalty area, but it was ruled out for offside.

Benfica then took control of the tie, scoring twice in four minutes as Dias struck with a close-range header, then Felix completed his hat-trick by side-footing home Alejandro Grimaldo's cross before Paciencia completed the scoring.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport Staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'bda6fa54-f89c-4572-b017-59985a5d0a12');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Felix hat-trick hands Benfica advantage over Eintracht Frankfurt'});

ID:355974: cacheID:355974:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5285:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Luka Jovic during a Serbia training session on March 19, 2019
Read Next:
Madrid chief 'meets Pjanic, Jovic agent'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!