Last update 3 May, 2013 by Julio Muñoz
Chelsea and Benfica will be the two teams fighting for the Europa League title in the final to be played in Amsterdam next 15 of may, after sealing the pass this Thursday with individual victories in the return of the semifinals against Basel (3-1) y Fenerbahce (3-1), respectively.
Rafa Benítez's team jumped onto the pitch without intensity, relying on the income obtained in Switzerland, and 1-2. The scare came soon with a great chance for Streller after a resounding defensive error.
That scare stretched Chelsea who began to attack, above all, by means of a Fernando Torres who is making the most of his opportunities in the Europa League after losing his Premier position in favor of Demba Ba.
The Madrid striker had two occasions, Ramires also had a good opportunity but the best of the first part was the veteran ‘Franky’ Lampard jr., who has long since left that nickname and it was his father who became known as “Frank Lampard senior”. The one who has been one of the best midfielders of the last decade sent a ball to the post after the wall with Torres in what could have been the 1-0 for your team.
However, the good intentions of the locals did not see a door and, just before the break, Salah put the Swiss ahead after a great combination play (0-1).
Same as in Switzerland, when Basel tied one at the discount, Chelsea came out on top and scored again in an exercise of tremendous superiority. Said and done again, in five minutes the goals of Fernando Torres and Víctor Moses put the current European champion ahead on the scoreboard. Finally, David Luiz sentenced the tie with a real goal with his left foot in a distant shot (3-1).
For your part, a double by Paraguayan Oscar Cardozo and a goal by Argentine Nico Gaitán knocked out Turkish Fenerbahce (3-1) and took Benfica to the final of the Europa League, who will play against Chelsea next 15 May in Amsterdam.
Boosted by the quality of the midfield with Nemanja Matic and Nico Gaitán and the instinct of Cardozo, Benfica returns to a European final 23 years after the last one tracing the 1-0 of the first leg in a thriving and electric match clearly dominated by the lisboetas.
Gaitán opened the scoring (m.8), while the Dutchman Dirk Kuyt equalized with a penalty (m.23) and made it difficult for the locals, needing two goals to qualify. However, Paraguayan Óscar Cardozo, who made a memorable match, scored deservedly twice, in it 35 and in the 66, and got the ticket to Amsterdam for Benfica.