Rafa Silva (L) of Benfica vies with Filip Kostic of Frankfurt during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match between Eintracht Frankfurt and SL Benfica in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 18, 2019. Frankfurt won 2-0. (Xinhua/Ulrich Hufnagel)
BERLIN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt progressed into the semifinals on the away-goals rule after beating Benfica 2-0 (4-4 on aggregate) at the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.
The "Eagles" have booked the first semifinal berth in Europe for the first time in 39 years after overturning a 4-2 first-leg loss on the goals from Filip Kostic and Sebastian Rode on home soil.
After the 4-2 loss on the road, Frankfurt knew they had to score twice and keep a clean sheet in order to progress into the next round.
Hence, the hosts took the reins in front of home crowd and tested Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos through Filip Kostic.
Frankfurt dominated the opening stages but failed to produce clear-cut opportunities as the match progressed.
Nevertheless, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock with 36 minutes played when Filip Kostic poked home the opener after capitalizing on a rebound that dropped off the left post.
After the restart, Benfica came out strong and almost grabbed the opener but Simon Falette defused Joao Felix's dangerous square pass inside the box two minutes into the second half.
The visitors remained on the front foot and created another chance in the 52nd minute when Haris Seferovic headed into the arms of Frankfurt custodian Kevin Trapp.
Frankfurt assumed control as Luka Jovic pulled wide from promising position at the hour mark before Sebastian Rode scored the much needed second goal after hammering home from 15 meters into the bottom right corner in the 67th minute.
Benfica regrouped and responded with furious attacks but only Eduardo Salvio came close as he rattled the outside of the right post with five minutes remaining.
Frankfurt stood firm and protected their lead to the end to host Premier League outfit Chelsea at the first leg of the semi finals on May 2.
"Now we encounter Chelsea in the next round. It does not get any harder. It makes us proud that we represent Germany as the only team," Eintracht Frankfurt's sporting director Fredi Bobic said.
