SL Benfica, helped by an excellent Champions League debut from goalkeeper Ederson, clung on desperately, then scored two late goals to beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 and reach the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Hulk gave Zenit a 69th-minute lead with a controversial goal and the Russian champions were threatening a second against Benfica’s makeshift defense when Nicolas Gaitan snatched an equalizer out of the blue with five minutes remaining.
With the Russian side pushing forward desperately, substitute Anderson Talisca scored with the last kick of the game to complete a 3-1 aggregate win for Benfica that sent them into the last eight for the first time since 2012.
Photo: AFP
Benfica, who had won only once in seven previous visits to Russia, were missing three central defenders through injuries and suspension.
Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was also sidelined, forcing his 22-year-old compatriot Ederson to be thrown in at the deep end.
“I’m quiet, delighted, working daily, taking advantage of the opportunities,” Ederson told reporters.
The first hour was a cagey affair with few chances, although Benfica nearly snatched an away goal in the fourth minute when Jonas’ curling free-kick was tipped over the bar by Yuri Lodygin.
Ederson showed some uncertainty early in the game when Aleksandr Anyukov sent a low ball into area and Andreas Samaris had to rush in to clear the danger, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to dive at Artem Dzyuba’s feet shortly afterward.
Benfica, with 18-year-old Renato Sanches providing another performance in midfield that belied his age, tried to frustrate the visitors and it worked for the first hour.
Zenit came to life after a double substitution by coach Andre Villas-Boas and immediately began creating chances.
Ederson did well to hold a close-range effort by Igor Smolnikov, but was powerless to stop Zenit’s goal, which left Benfica fuming.
Yuri Zhirkov appeared to foul Nelson Semedo as the two went for the ball, but play was waved on, the Russian broke down the left and crossed into the middle, where Hulk headed in.
In doing so, the muscular Brazilian redeemed himself for a dismal performance that included firing two long-range free-kicks straight into the wall.
Ederson then prevented what could have been a decisive second goal when he blocked at close range from Dzyuba, who managed to wriggle his way between four defenders in the penalty area.
Although Lodygin had brilliantly turned away Victor Lindelof’s header in between, Benfica were on the ropes and the crowd were at fever pitch as Zenit pushed for a second.
Instead, the visitors grabbed an equalizer when Raul Jimenez won possession, crashed a shot against the bar and Gaitan headed in from the rebound.
Zenit were still shell-shocked when Talisca fired a half-volley past Lodygin to wrap up the win at the final whistle.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care