MX23RW : Monday, April 15 15:20:48| >> :600:323019:323019:
Apr 11, 2019 at 8pm UK at ​Estádio da Luz
Benfica
4-2
FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt
Felix (21' pen., 43', 54'), Dias (50')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jovic (40'), Paciencia (72')
N'Dicka (20')

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

Result: 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.

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Luka Jovic during a Serbia training session on March 19, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool34267177205785
2Manchester CityMan City33272486226483
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs332211064343067
4Chelsea34206857362166
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd33197763441964
6Arsenal32196765402563
7Leicester CityLeicester34145154645147
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33138124142-147
9Everton34137144644246
10Watford32137124747046
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham34126164252-1042
12Bournemouth34125174961-1241
13Crystal Palace34116174046-639
14Burnley34116174260-1839
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle34108163243-1138
16Southampton3399153954-1536
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3296173251-1933
18Cardiff CityCardiff3384212863-3528
RFulham3455243276-4420
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3435261967-4814

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