BERLIN, April 18 -- Eintracht Frankfurt progressed into the semifinals on the away-goals rule after beating Benfica 2-0 (4-4 on aggregate) at the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.
The "Eagles" have booked the first semifinal berth in Europe for the first time in 39 years after overturning a 4-2 first-leg loss on the goals from Filip Kostic and Sebastian Rode on home soil.
After the 4-2 loss on the road, Frankfurt knew they had to score twice and keep a clean sheet in order to progress into the next round.
Hence, the hosts took the reins in front of home crowd and tested Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos through Filip Kostic.
Frankfurt dominated the opening stages but failed to produce clear-cut opportunities as the match progressed.
Nevertheless, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock with 36 minutes played when Filip Kostic poked home the opener after capitalizing on a rebound that dropped off the left post.
After the restart, Benfica came out strong and almost grabbed the opener but Simon Falette defused Joao Felix's dangerous square pass inside the box two minutes into the second half.
The visitors remained on the front foot and created another chance in the 52nd minute when Haris Seferovic headed into the arms of Frankfurt custodian Kevin Trapp.
Frankfurt assumed control as Luka Jovic pulled wide from promising position at the hour mark before Sebastian Rode scored the much needed second goal after hammering home from 15 meters into the bottom right corner in the 67th minute.
Benfica regrouped and responded with furious attacks but only Eduardo Salvio came close as he rattled the outside of the right post with five minutes remaining.
Frankfurt stood firm and protected their lead to the end to host Premier League outfit Chelsea at the first leg of the semi finals on May 2.
"Now we encounter Chelsea in the next round. It does not get any harder. It makes us proud that we represent Germany as the only team," Eintracht Frankfurt's sporting director Fredi Bobic said.
京昆高速“连环相撞”致17人死亡
国内英语资讯:China, EU political, business heavyweights end Hamburg Summit
国内英语资讯:China orders safety overhaul after deadly power plant accident
浙江省湖州市2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试英语试卷
体坛英语资讯:Barca and Madrid both win to maintain title head to head
如何备战重要考试?
福建省龙海市程溪中学2016-2017学年高一年下学期期中考英语试卷
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Xi wraps up LatAm tour as Chinas regional, global role growing bigger
应对起床气的10大妙招!告别坏脾气!
我国首次发布“海洋经济发展指数”
湖北省黄冈市蕲春县2016-2017学年高二上学期期中考试英语试卷
国内英语资讯:China, Belarus agree to expand law enforcement cooperation
国内英语资讯:Xi urges rescue, follow-up efforts after fatal accident in E China
湖北省孝感市七校教学联盟2016-2017学年高二上学期期中考试英语试卷
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier vows better environment for foreign investment
山东省济宁市历城区2016-2017学年高二上学期模块考试(期中)英语试卷
国内英语资讯:Political advisors discuss food safety
国内英语资讯:Death toll from E China construction site collapse rises to 74
国内英语资讯:Chinese president arrives in Chile for state visit
国内英语资讯:Top legislator stresses brainstorming in making civil code
国际英语资讯:Fillon wins Frances conservative primary for 2017 presidential election
永远都不要忽略的酒店安全贴士
湖北省普通高中联考协作体2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试英语试卷(扫描版)
湖北省重点高中联考协作体2016-2017学年高二上学期期中考试英语试卷(扫描版)
湖北省孝感市七校教学联盟2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试英语试卷
江西省赣州市十三县(市)十四校2016-2017学年高二上学期期中联考英语试卷
江西省赣州市十三县(市)十四校2016-2017学年高一上学期期中联考英语试卷
别人首先会注意到你哪一点?
山东省济宁市历城区2016-2017学年高一上学期模块考试(期中)英语试卷
福建省四地六校2016-2017学年高二上学期第二次(12月)月考英语试卷