Benfica hold Juve to reach Europa final

Benfica kept alive their dream of a first European trophy in 52 years after a goalless draw with Juventus in Turin helped the newly crowned Portuguese champions win their Europa League semi-final 2-1 on aggregate.

Jorge Jesus’s side will return to Turin on May 14 to take on Sevilla in the final after restricting the Serie A leaders to a handful of chances, despite having to play for 23 minutes with 10 men after Enzo Perez was sent off after receiving a second booking for a silly foul on Arturo Vidal.

They will be hoping to win their first European title since 1962’s European Cup triumph, since when they have lost seven European finals, including last season’s Europa League final to Chelsea.

Sevilla, meanwhile, sealed their place in the final when a 94th-minute Stephane Mbia header put the Spanish side through on away goals after their semi-final tie against Valencia ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Sevilla won last week’s first leg 2-0 at home but a 14th-minute Sofiane Feghouli strike, an own goal from goalkeeper Beto in the 26th and a Jeremy Mathieu goal 21 minutes from time put Valencia 3-0 ahead on the night and 3-2 ahead overall.

The home side were just over a minute away from going through to the May 14 final when Federico Fazio flicked on a long throw and Mbia rose to crash a header into the net and silence the Valencia fans packed into the Mestalla.