Silva and Di Maria fire Benfica into first-leg lead over Marseille

Benfica took a 2-1 lead of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie with Marseille, who’re firmly within the contest due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s objective.

Reigning Portuguese champions Benfica had been in full management of the tie when Angel Di Maria tucked dwelling from shut vary within the 52nd minute of Thursday’s encounter at Estadio da Luz.

Rafa Silva had put Benfica forward early on, slotting in on the end result of a slick crew transfer.

Di Maria’s objective was equally as effectively labored, although Casper Tengstedt’s wild miss quickly after handed Marseille a reprieve.

Aubameyang duly made Tengstedt pay for his profligacy, guaranteeing Marseille are effectively in with an opportunity heading into the second leg at Stade Velodrome.

Alexander Bah ought to have put Benfica forward within the sixth minute, just for the defender to miskick from Di Maria’s inch-perfect cross.

Benfica had their objective within the sixteenth minute – Silva prodding past Pau Lopez after high quality mixture play between David Neres and Tengstedt.

Marseille loved a vivid begin to the second half, however their resolve was additional punctured when Di Maria side-footed dwelling after linking up with Neres.

Tengstedt ought to have carried out higher shortly after, but the Dane didn’t preserve his cool within the space, lashing extensive.

Marseille made their fortune rely – Aubameyang bursting in behind Benfica’s traces and coolly selecting out the bottom-right nook to depart the tie within the steadiness.

At 36 and 34 respectively, Di Maria and Aubameyang might be forgiven for slowing down, however each are having fun with great campaigns.

Di Maria has now netted 16 occasions in all competitions for Benfica, whereas he was additionally vastly influential from a inventive sense this outing. Aubameyang, alternatively, goes by means of one thing of a revival at Marseille, and he now has 10 Europa League targets this season in as many appearances.

Di Maria wielded his affect from the fitting wing, and sometimes interchanged with Rafa and Neres in a fluid attacking trio behind Tengstedt. The Argentine had 99 touches and three makes an attempt at objective.

Benfica: Trubin 6, Bah 5, Silva 6, Otamendi 6, Aursnes 6, Neves 7, Florentino 6, Di Maria 8*, Rafa 7, Neres 8, Tengstedt 7. Subs: Joao Mario 6, Leonardo 6.

Marseille: Lopez 6, Mbemba 5, Gigot 6, Balerdi 6, Luis Henrique 6, Kondogbia 5, Veretout 6, Merlin 6, Harit 6, Aubameyang 7, Moumbagna 5. Subs: Ndiaye 7, Ounahi 6, Soglo 6.

6’ – CHANCE! Benfica 0-0 Marseille (Bah): An enormous alternative for Benfica! Following a brief nook, a cross is put in from the fitting flank, with Bah stealing a march on his marker. However, regardless of having area, the defender cannot join correctly along with his effort from shut vary, and Marseille’s defence get well to clear their traces. Fortunate!

16’ – GOAL! Benfica 1-0 Marseille (Rafa): Benfica take the lead! Rafa Silva has obtained the opener! Simply as Marseille had been settling into this tie, now they’re behind. A slick little bit of interaction between David Neres and Tengstedt sees the latter slide a neat cross into the trail of Rafa who, after taking a contact, prods dwelling on the finish of a sensible third-man run, sending the house followers into raptures. There is a little bit of a delay whereas VAR checks the objective, however it’s going to stand!

52’ – GOAL! Benfica 2-0 Marseille (Di Maria): What a beautiful objective, and the hosts are actually two to the nice! It is that man Di Maria, who’s readily available to faucet dwelling on the finish of a unbelievable transfer. The Argentine exchanged a fast one-two with Neres, whose cutback put it on a plate for the previous Actual Madrid and PSG star to complete from shut vary.

67’ – GOAL!!! Benfica 2-1 Marseille (Aubameyang): He. Would not. Miss. That is a unbelievable objective from Aubameyang, and Marseille are proper again on this! Ndiaye’s throughball finds its manner by means of Benfica’s line, and Auba makes no mistake as he expenses by means of, units himself for a end and duly slots dwelling. He could be 34, however in these areas, he’s nonetheless lethal. Recreation on!

73’ – CHANCE! Benfica 2-1 Marseille (Harit): Harit has his head in his fingers after he volleys extensive on the far publish, having been picked out by a deep cross. Benfica are far and wide in the meanwhile!

• Marseille have received solely one in all their 10 away European matches in Portugal, dropping eight and drawing one.
• Benfica have now received the primary leg of all six of their Europa League quarter-finals.