Liverpool vs Benfica LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight as Red into semi-finals
Relive the action from Anfield as Liverpool reach the Champions League semi-finals
Liverpool progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a goal fest in their quarter-final second leg against Benfica at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate scored his second goal of the tie to put Liverpool three goals up on aggregate just after the 20 minute mark before Goncalo Ramos fired in an equaliser to send the teams into half-time at 1-1 (4-2agg).
Liverpool stepped it up after the restart and seemingly finished off the game hust after the hour mark following a brace from Roberto Firmino to put them four goals clear on aggregate. That comfort began to show as they slackened off defensively allowing Benfica to take advantage of their high line with runs in behind.
Substitute Roman Yaremchuk snuck in through the middle as Joel Matip was too slow to get out and his calm finish kept Benfica hopes alive. They still needed three goals to regain parity and a remarkable comeback was seemingly on when Darwin Nunez netted with 10 minutes or so to play.
Liverpool managed the tense final minutes well and kept Benfica at bay. Both teams had goals disallowed in the closing stages but ultimately the task was too great for the visitors as Liverpool closed out the game.
Relive all the action from Anfield as Liverpool beat Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals:
GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 1 Benfica (4-2 agg) - Ramos, 32’ ⚽️
32 mins: Benfica are level! The visitors work the ball down the inside left channel and pick out Diogo Goncalves. He gets some help through Darwin Nunez and gives the ball to the forward before running inside and waiting for the return pass. When it comes James Milner arrives from behind to tackle Goncalves but the ball comes loose and rolls into Goncalo Ramos who drills one from the edge of the box and smokes his chance past Alisson to bring Benfica back on level terms.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)
30 mins: Chance! Tsimikas whips the corner ball into the box but it’s won by a Benfica defender. The ball is cleared well and Luis Diaz recycles it with a header of his own into the six-yard box. Roberto Firmino meets it and nods it towards goal but his effort hit Jan Vertonghen on the back and loops over the crossbar!
Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)
27 mins: Jan Vertonghen gets on the wrong side of Naby Keita and has to drag down the Liverpool midfielder to stop him from getting in behind.
Liverpool boot the ball over to the left side and win another corner.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg)
24 mins: Save! This could be a long night for the visitors as Liverpool look to turn the screw. Luis Diaz is played into space on the right and darts into the box. He shoots and goes for the gap at the near post but Vlachodimos dives across and palms it wide of goal.
GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 0 Benfica (4-1 agg) - Konate, 21’ ⚽️
21 mins: Liverpool take the lead! The Reds win a corner that Kostas Tsimikas delivers into the box. He puts an outswinger into the middle where Ibrahima Konate leaps above everyone else to meet the cross. He gets a solid head to it and guides the ball into the bottom irght hand corner putting it out of reach for the Benfica goalkeeper. Liverpool have some daylight between them and Benfica now.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)
20 mins: Chance! Liverpool work it sweetly down the right wing with short, sharp passes around the Benfica midfielders. Luis Diaz flies into the right side of the box and squares the ball into the six-yard box. James Milner arrives to turn the ball towards goal but Odisseas Vlachodimos dives in front of him to turn the ball away.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)
18 mins: Liverpool are starting to go uo the gears. Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez are getting higher up the pitch and they’re putting more pressure on the Benfica defence.
Tsimikas wins a free kick on the left wing and his delivery is easily cleared by the visitors.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)
15 mins: James Milner hits the wall with his free kick and Benfica clear it quickly to get forward on the counter-attack. Adel Taarabt starts the move which sees the ball come up to Diogo Goncalves. He switches the play over to Everton with a chipped pass across the pitch. Everton controls it before firing a shot just wide of the far post!
Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)
12 mins: Darwin Nunez is quicker than Joel Matip. He injects a bit of pace into his run to side-step the Liverpool centre-back but can’t ixk out a teammate with his cutback from the byline.
Liverpool recover the ball and break down the right side. Luis Diaz collects it and tries to dart inside only to get fouled just inside Benfica’s final third.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Benfica (3-1 agg)
9 mins: Diogo Jota makes a run down the left side and carries the ball to the byline. He does brilliantly to shift inside of two defenders but slips as he brings the ball into the box and Nicolas Otamendi scoops the ball away for Benfica.
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