Portugese giants Benfica drew PSV Eindhoven after falling behind two goals as the spectacularly named Balázs Dzsudzsák and Jeremain Lens scored for the Dutch team.
Guus Hiddink, the former PSV coach who brought them so much success was honoured at half time but he could not help his team tide the Benfica comeback sparked by Luisao’s acrobatic scissor kick. It turned worse as César Peixoto was brought down and Oscar Cardozo duly converted the penalty. The match ended in a 2-2 draw and Benfica went through to the semi-finals on a 6-3 aggregate on the crest of their 4-1 first leg win.
It was a red letter day for Portugese teams as Braga drew Dynamo Kyiv, 0-0 but progressed forward on a 1-1 away goal advantage gained in the first leg. This despite the fact Braga played a man down for more than a hour when Paulo Cesar was sent off in the 29th minute (video)
Jose Mourinho’s former club, Porto routed Spartak Moscow, 5-2 for a 10-3 aggregate victory. Hulk, Cristian Rodriguez, Fredy Guarin, Falcao and Ruben Micael scored for the visitors while Artem Dzjuba and Ferreira Ari scored consolation goals for the Moscow side. (video). As the clip shows it would be difficult to find worse defending.
The Europa Cup semi-finals will be an all Iberian affair with the three Portugese clubs joining Spanish side Villarreal who finished off FC Twente, 3-1 for a 8-3 aggregate with American born Giuseppe Rossi getting on board with a penalty conversion (video)