UEFA Europa League Semi-Final Update: Porto Thrash Villarreal & Benfica Hold Onto Slight Edge

The UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals took off in Portugal this evening as both Porto and Benfica secured 1st leg victories at home to edge a step closer to a pivotal Portuguese duel in Dublin.

FC Porto and Villarreal CF was played at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto and the 1st half saw Villarreal take the initiative. Porto came in heavily favored in this contest and were predicted to take control early on, but it was the visitor's who did so. Villarreal scored the 1st goal of the match which came courtesy of veteran striker Cani. Matters would remain that way until the half as Villarreal left the stadium's supporters stunned with the score-line.

Cani stuns Porto as Villarreal led 1-0 at the half.

However, Porto came out ready and willing in the 2nd half and Villarreal were immediately at their backs. Porto's efforts would pay off as Falcão would put them on level terms after converting on a penalty. Then came a Porto onslaught or should we say a Falcão onslaught. Falcão would go on to score 3 more times putting his tally at 4 and no way back for Villarreal. Freddy Guarín did manage to grab one in between Falcão's slicing. Porto's dominance paid off and despite Villarreal's attempts, they just didn't have the fire power to compete with this Porto side. Perhaps even more depressing is the idea of having to come back home for the 2nd leg. Hopefully, Villarreal bows out at home with a more respectable score-line.

Falcão would go on to score 4 in the 2nd half.

In the other semi-final, we had 2 Portuguese sides battling at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica had come into the tie as favorites whilst Braga have been the surprise of the tourney for most. As mentioned in the preview, Braga came into the match and were not as conservative as they were against the former sides they played. For Benfica it was business as usual and their attack took off although they were left frustrated with wasted chances. At half-time the score-line stood at 0-0 and Braga were feeling rather good about their chances of coming away with an upset victory away from home. 

The second half would commence and both sides were once again going toe-to-toe. Benfica finally got their break-through from the unlikeliest of sources. Center-back Jardel put in a second chance effort after Cardozo had hit the post. Cardozo could had many chances throughout the match and was beginning to become frustrated but fortunately Jardel was there to put through after his unlucky miss.

Jardel puts Benfica ahead 1-0.

However, Benfica's lead would be short lived as Vandinho would put Braga level within minutes of Benfica's go-ahead. Vandinho was picked out on a cross which made Benfica's defense look amateur as they were seemingly sleeping. Moments later, Roberto nearly let another one go through and Braga began growing in confidence with Benfica supporters biting their nails.

Vandinho, seen here celebrating Braga's progression to the semi-final, would score the tying goal.

Fortunately for Benfica fans, the moment of salvation came as Cardozo finally connected and scored. After being rewarded a free-kick for a challenge just outside the box on Aimar, Cardozo fired in a shot with his left-foot which gave Braga's keeper Artur no chance. The Braga keeper had been having a fantastic match and in particular had left Cardozo frustrated until that moment.

Cardozo nabs Benfica's 2nd goal in style.

From that point on, Benfica seemed likely to score another but Braga did well to hold their own and force a decisive 2nd leg. Benfica will go into Braga knowing that if Braga manage to win 1-0, their European hopes will be gone. However, with Braga now under the pressure of scoring, things will surely be more open for this Benfica attack which looks keen on scoring more than once under those conditions.