Marseille edge Benfica on penalties to reach Europa semis

Marseille edge Benfica on penalties to reach Europa semis

The Ligue 1 side will next take on Atalanta in the semifinals.

Marseille’s Luis Henrique shoots to score during a penalty shootout at the end of the Europa League match against Benfica. (AP pic)
MARSEILLE:
Olympique de Marseille claimed a penalty shootout win over Benfica on Thursday to reach the Europa League semifinals after Faris Moumbagna’s late second-half goal levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

Benfica’s Angel Di Maria missed the first kick of the shootout striking the post and goalkeeper Pau Lopez saved Antonio Silva’s effort to hand Marseille the win with all of their penalty takers scoring their first four.

The hosts broke the deadlock 11 minutes from time through Moumbagna’s close-range header off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s cross from the left.

The Ligue 1 side will take on Atalanta in the semifinals, who went down 1-0 at home to Liverpool but progressed with a 3-1 aggregate win after their shock victory at Anfield last week.

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