Benfica lose 3-2 but secure valuable aways goals BARCELONA, April 5 (Reuters) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Two goals in as many minutes kept Benfica's hopes alive against Espanyol as they fought back from 3-0 down to lose 3-2 away in their UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg on Thursday. Espanyol looked to be cruising into the semi-finals after goals from Raul Tamudo and Albert Riera in the first half, and a second-half header from Walter Pandiani put them clear. But Nuno Gomes and Simao Sabrosa struck back with two quick goals midway through the second half and both sides had chances to add more in an entertaining game. Free-scoring Espanyol made it six home wins from six in the competition but could pay for some sloppy second-half defending, in the return leg at Benfica's imposing Luz stadium on April 12. "It's a bitter-sweet win because we were in control. It will be hard in their stadium but they still have to win the game," Pandiani told radio Marca. "We are still very confident we can win this tie." The Spaniards were positive from the start and took the lead after 15 minutes pressuring a Benfica throw down near the visitors' corner flag. Luis Garcia fed Tamudo in the area and the striker beat one defender to fire high into the net. The early goal allowed the home side to play on the break and they doubled the lead when Tamudo broke down the right and put in a deep cross in the 33rd. Riera's shot was diverted in at the near post off the head of diving Benfica defender Nelson. Uruguayan striker Pandiani replaced Tamudo early in the second half and in the 53rd rose to head the third from Riera's cross. It was his 10th of the tournament. The Portuguese side had been threatening and finally made the break-through when Italian Fabrizio Miccoli beat the off-side trap and squared for Nuno Gomes to slip the ball home in the 63rd. Two minutes later Simao jinked his way past between two defenders and fired in a deflected shot to set nerves jangling in the home defence. "At this moment it's hard to explain what happened but at least we managed to score two goals. 3-2 is a good result and everything is still open," Simao told reporters. ===== http://sports.sina.com.cn/g/bn/2007-04-06/07221603.shtml 【视频】西班牙人3-2本菲卡 葡萄牙人死马医成活马 http://sports.sina.com.cn/g/bn/2007-04-06/08481615.shtml 【视频】西芒连突两人劲射远角 本菲卡置死地而後生 http://sports.sina.com.cn/g/bn/2007-04-06/08441614.shtml 【视频】反越位刺穿西班牙人防线 戈麦斯轻松推空门 --

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