Europa League Semi-Finals Review

The first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals happened yesterday with victories for Porto and Benfica. An all Portuguese final looks on the cards after the four goals from Radamel Falcao's gave FC Porto a 5-1 win over Villarreal as Benfica enjoyed a 2-1 win over Braga.Two Portuguese sides faced each other for the first time in a UEFA competition. Benifica had no chances in the local league and after losing the semi final of the Portuguese Cup their chance to save the season relies on the UEFA Europa League. You can get tickets for Wembley Stadium matches at livefootballtickets.com.

Benfica 2 Braga 1

Braga finally surrendered to Jorge Jesus' team after an intense first half where the Eagles dominated the game. Vandinho then equalised for Braga, but Oscar Cardozo got a fabulous free kick, giving Benfica the lead before the return leg. Falcao took his Europa League tally up to 15 this season with his latest burst of goals, while Freddy Guarin added one for Porto. Villarreal took the leadt on the stroke of halftime when Ruben "Cani" Garcia scored. Falcao then equalised from the penalty spot just three minutes after the break, after another hour Fredy Guarin headed in a rebound. Falcao made it 3-1 in the 67th minute as he volleyed in the perfect cross from Hulk, then a diving header from Guarin's free-kick provided a three-goal advantage. The Colombian striker gave Villarreal a mountain to climb during the second half with another incredible header from the corner in the last minute.