© EuroFootball.com
On Thursday, the second leg matches of the UEFA Cup semi-finals were played - the first Russian club to reach the finals of European cups was Moscow's "CSKA" with D.Shember, easily defeating the "Parma" team, while Lisbon's "Sporting" secured their ticket to the final in a very dramatic clash.
3 - 0
(First leg 0-0, aggregate score 3-0)
10' [1 - 0] Daniel Carvalho
53' [2 - 0] Daniel Carvalho
60' [3 - 0] Vasiliy Berezoutski
90' D.Bonera ("Parma") sent off
The Russian team surged ahead in the 10th minute, when J.Zhirkov broke through on the left and passed the ball to D.Carvalho in the penalty area, who scored a precise shot into the goal. However, soon the "army men" fans started throwing firecrackers onto the field, and the injured goalkeeper L.Bucci could no longer continue the match.
Later, the hosts almost doubled the score, but V.Love's attempt was blocked by defenders. F.Ruopolo had a good opportunity on the other side of the field, but his header shot from the ground flew over the goal.
In the 53rd minute, "CSKA" already led by two goals - V.Love entered the penalty area, made a pass to the unmarked D.Carvalho, who struck accurately into the top corner of the goal. After an hour of play, D.Carvalho assisted his teammate, as after his pass V.Berezoutskis headed in the third goal to secure the victory.
With Moscow leading by three goals, coach V.Gazajevas decided to strengthen the defense, and the opportunity to play was given to Lithuanian D.Shemberas, who replaced Carvalho, who scored two goals. "CSKA" maintained the advantage and clinched a ticket to the cup final in Lisbon.
3 - 2
(First leg 1-2, after extra time aggregate score 4-4)
6' [1 - 0] Kenneth Perez
45+4' [1 - 1] Liedson
79' [2 - 1] Stein Huysegems
108' [3 - 1] Kew Jaliens
120+3' [3 - 2] Miguel Garcia
The match started successfully for the Dutch team, and after just six minutes they leveled the aggregate score, taking the lead due to an away goal scored by K.Perez in the ranks of "AZ". However, at the end of the first half, "Sporting" restored their advantage, with a goal scored by the team's top scorer, Liedson.
Now it was up to the hosts to score, they pressed the opponents, and achieved their goal in the 79th minute, with S.Huysegems scoring after coming off the bench. The main time of the match, as in the first leg, ended with a score of 2-1, so extra time was played.
The Alkmaar team continued to attack the opponents' goal during extra time, and although they initially missed chances, in the 108th minute they surged ahead in terms of the two-match ratio, when K.Jaliens beat the opponents' goalkeeper, Ricardo.
It seemed like "AZ" was very close to defeating their opponents and heading to the final, but just like in Eindhoven the day before, the Lisbon club did not give up, and in the last moments of the match after a corner kick, M.Garcia scored a header.
"Sporting" secured one of the most dramatic victories this season and in the tournament's history, eliminating the opponents with two away goals, they advance to the final, where they will face "CSKA" on May 18th at their home stadium.
