Frankfurt stage second-leg fightback to edge out Benfica

Eintracht Frankfurt wiped out a two-goal first-leg deficit to beat Benfica 2-0 in Germany and advance into the Europa League semi-finals on the away goals rule.

Filip Kostic and Sebastian Rode scored for the Bundesliga side as they clawed back to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate and then rode their luck to hold on for a last-four clash with Chelsea.

Ante Rebic and Simon Falette also had chances for the hosts as Frankfurt’s pressure pinned the visitors back deep in their own half.

Luka Jovic, causing plenty of problems down the flank, hit a long-range effort straight at Vlachodimos just past the half-hour mark, before Benfica’s resistance finally crumbled five minutes later.

Mijat Gacinovic’s initial effort rebounded and Kostic reacted quickest to slot it past the keeper, despite strong Benfica claims that the goalscorer had been offside in the build-up.

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