|
|
|
Barcelona are into the Champions League semi-finals after 2-0 aggregate win over Benfica.
After an entertaining stalemate in Estadio de Luz last week, this season's favourites were in hungry mood to break down the resolute Portuguese defense but it looked like it could be another frustrating night after Moretto saved Ronaldinho's penalty early on.
But the Brazilian genius eventually gave the Spaniards the lead after 19 minutes when he swept home Samuel Eto'o's low cross and from then on Frank Rijkaard's side were in full control.
Benfica forced a couple of second-half scares but Simao fired wide Fabrizio Miccoli's clever pass put him one-on-one with Victor Valdes before Giorgos Karagounis' long range drive was parried away by the Barca goalkeeper.
With just minutes remaining Eto'o killed the tie with a lethal finish from close range after controlling Juliano Belletti's precise cross. The Nou Camp crowd were left celebrate as they sense the club's 14-year wait for Europe's most coveted prize is nearing it's end.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time after holding 10-man Juventus to a 0-0 second-leg draw in Turin.
The result, which was never in doubt as the Gunners protected their 2-0 lead from the Highbury first leg with ease, sets up a last-four clash with Spanish outfit Villarreal.
And Juve's misery was completed when Czech playmaker Pavel Nedved was given his marching orders for two clumsy challenges on the impressive Emmanuel Eboue late in the game.
Fabio Capello may have ruled himself out of the England frame - but his team barely troubled Arsene Wenger's troops over the two legs.
The Italians had the ball in the net on 30 minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic tapped home from Nedved's knockdown - but the goal was ruled out as the Czech star was in a clear offside position.
Other than that, Jens Lehmann had a quiet night and it was home keeper Gianluca Buffon who was the busier stopper, pulling off fine saves to deny Thierry Henry on 47 minutes and Cesc Fabregas on 65.
One sour note for the visitors was a booking for Jose Antonio Reyes, which means he will miss the first leg against Villarreal.
But another clean sheet will please Wenger, who saw his defence keep a record eighth consecutive blank in Europe. |
Source: Sporting Life |
|
|
|
Other great sites
Search
|
