UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Liverpool vs Villarreal, Benfica KNOCKED OUT by Liverpool: Liverpool are through to their third Champions League semi-final under Jurgen Klopp after beating Benfica 6-4 on aggregate. Firmino’s double put the Reds back in control and despite Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Nunez scoring, Jurgen Klopp’s side secured a third Champions League semi-final appearance since the German took charge in 2015. Follow Champions League updates on InsideSport.IN
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Liverpool set up semi-final clash with Villarreal to keep ‘Quadruple’ hopes alive, Benfica KNOCKED OUT by Liverpool
Liverpool advance to the semi-final: Following a hectic return leg, Liverpool make it through to the Champions League semi-finals by virtue of a spectacular 6-4 aggregate victory over a Benfica side which would not lie down and exit the competition quietly. The Reds therefore remain in contention for four trophies this season, and they are just 180 minutes away from another European final.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
Knockouts deliver again!
🔴 Liverpool through to the semi-finals for the 12th time after six-goal thriller at Anfield
🔵 Manchester City hold off Atlético to advance 1-0 on aggregate #UCL pic.twitter.com/iSteGjJOkc— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 13, 2022
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Liverpool keep ‘Quadruple’ hopes alive
Scorers: Konaté 21′, Firmino 55′, 65′; Ramos 32′, Yaremchuk 73′, Núñez 81′
- Konate opened the scoring for Liverpool to power a header past Vlachodimos and into the bottom corner.
- Goncalves drove a low shot past Alisson into the bottom-left corner in the 32 minute. It was 1-1!
- LIVERPOOL LEAD AGAIN! Firmino takes advantage of an error by Vlachodimos. It was 2-1 to Liverpool; 5-2 overall.
- Roberto Firmino scored a brace in the 65′ minute to put Liverpool in pole position.
- Yaremchuk rounds off Alisson before slotting the ball into the back of the net. It was 3-2 to Liverpool.
- Darwin Nunez scored in the 81′ as it ended 3-3 at Anfield but the aggregate score was 6-4. Liverpool set up semi-final clash with Villarreal.
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Liverpool set up semi-final clash with Villarreal to keep ‘Quadruple’ hopes alive, Benfica KNOCKED OUT by Liverpool: Check HIGHLIGHTS
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Benfica KNOCKED OUT by Liverpool
Roberto Firmino scored twice as Liverpool progressed to the Champions League semi-finals after sealing a 6-4 aggregate victory over Benfica. Just like at Estadio da Luz eight days earlier, Konate broke the deadlock with a fine header from Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner.
The visitors levelled the second leg in the 32nd minute when a kind ricochet off James Milner sent Ramos clear, and the Portugal under-21 international clinically swept past Alisson.
Diogo Jota’s attempted shot was drifting wide until Firmino tucked home from six yards after Jan Vertonghen’s hurried clearance went straight to the Portugal international. The Brazil international doubled his tally in the 65th minute as he beat the offside trap to volley home Tsimikas’ inviting free-kick.
The visitors had the last word when Yaremchuk neatly rounded Alisson before slotting home from Grimaldo’s throughball, before Nunez sprung the offside trap to set up a nervy finish at Anfield.
Liverpool maintain knockout stage streak
It is now 20 years since Liverpool lost a Champions League knockout tie after winning the first leg, last doing so against Bayer Leverkusen during the 2001-02 season.
Despite Benfica’s late surge, the Reds never appeared in too much danger throughout the contest as they secured their 12th semi-final appearance in the competition.
Historic goal for Darwin Nunez
The Uruguay international netted his sixth goal in this season’s Champions League – the most by any Benfica player during a single campaign in the competition – breaking Nuno Gomes’ 23-year record.
What’s next?
Liverpool march on to the semi-finals, where Villarreal await with the first leg being played on April 26 or 27. Before that, the Reds resume their quadruple bid on Saturday when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. Meanwhile, Benfica must bounce back from this disappointment quickly, as they face arch-rivals Sporting on Sunday.
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Liverpool set up semi-final clash with Villarreal to keep ‘Quadruple’ hopes alive, Benfica KNOCKED OUT by Liverpool: Check HIGHLIGHTS
Editors pick
