Published>Fri, Apr 02 10 03:55 AM
Benfica forward Oscar Cardozo converted two second-half penalties as they came from behind to beat 10-man Liverpool 2-1 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg clash on Thursday.
Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy helped Hamburg SV clinch a 2-1 win at home to Standard Liege while David Villa scored a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw for Valencia at home to Atletico Madrid in an all-Spanish last eight clash.
Fulham's dream run continued with a 2-1 home win over German champions VfL Wolfsburg, although an 89th minute reply by Alexander Madlung took the gloss off the result for the Premier League outfit playing in their first European quarter-final.
The Europa League is Liverpool's only chance of salvaging the season and Rafa Benitez's side got off to a flying start when Daniel Agger's skilful flick gave them a ninth-minute lead.
However, their evening began to unravel after half an hour when forward Ryan Babel was sent off for a shove in the face on Benfica defender Luisao who had just been booked for going straight through the back of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Benfica pressed for an equaliser and drew level on the hour when Paraguay forward Cardozo buried a harshly-awarded penalty after Emiliano Insua tangled with Pablo Aimar.
Cardozo struck again from the spot after 79 minutes, again finding the bottom right corner of Pepe Reina's goal after Jamie Carragher had blocked Angel di Maria's cross with his arm.
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