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Arsenal vs Valencia and Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea are the Europa League semi-finals to be played on May 2/9
Last Updated: 19/04/19 12:05am
Eintracht Frankfurt hit back from a two-goal first-leg deficit to sink Benfica on away goals and book a semi-final clash against Chelsea.
The Bundesliga side began the night trailing 4-2, but dominated the first period and reduced the aggregate deficit when Filip Kostic struck a controversial opener after 36 minutes.
Benfica were convinced Kostic had been offside in the build-up to the goal and their coach Bruno Lage was sent to the stands for protesting.
Sebastian Rode wiped out the deficit in the 67th minute when he drove a powerful shot past Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos from the edge of the box.
Frankfurt ‘keeper Kevin Trapp produced a brilliant fingertip save to deny Eduardo Salvio in the 79th minute as Frankfurt held on for a 4-4 aggregate draw which sent them through on away goals.
Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a clinical 1-0 win at Napoli.
They will face Valencia, one of Emery’s former sides, in the last four after they wrapped up victory in their all-Spanish clash with Villarreal.
Leading 3-1 from the away leg, Valencia were always in command as goals from Toni Lato and Daniel Parejo gave them a 5-1 aggregate victory.
Chelsea held off a second half fightback from Slavia Prague to beat the Czech side 4-3 at Stamford Bridge and move into the last four with a 5-3 aggregate win.
