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Benfica reach Europa League final

Benfica edge past Fenerbahce 3-2 on aggregate to book their place in the Europa League final.

Benfica have edged past Fenerbahce 3-2 on aggregate to book their place in the Europa League final.

The Portuguese side's 3-1 victory at home on Wednesday means that they will now meet Chelsea at the Amsterdam Arena on May 15.

Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan celebrates with a teammate after scoring against Fenerbahce on May 2, 2013© AP Photos

The hosts took an early lead as Nicolas Gaitan linked up with Lima before flicking the ball into the far corner on nine minutes.

Fenerbahce regained their aggregate advantage midway through the first half when Dirk Kuyt converted from the penalty spot after a handball from Ezequiel Garay.

However, Benfica edged in front again 10 minutes before the break thanks to Oscar Cardozo's low finish into the bottom corner.

Cardozo then secured the home side's passage into the final later this month when he collected Luisao's shot to fire into the net.

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Benfica's Eduardo Salvio is mobbed by teammates after his equaliser against Newcastle on April 11, 2013
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2Porto1512123692737
3Benfica1411213482635
4Braga1584327161128
5Santa ClaraSanta Clara159061615127
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes146441814422
7Casa Pia155551618-220
8MoreirenseMoreirense156271922-320
9FamalicaoFamalicao154741817119
10Gil Vicente154561724-717
11Rio AveRio Ave144461525-1016
12Estoril PraiaEstoril143561221-914
13AVS152761122-1113
14BoavistaBoavista152671019-912
15Nacional14338819-1112
16Estrela Amadora143381224-1212
17SC FarenseFarense15339921-1212
18AroucaArouca153210926-1711


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