Benfica’s Felix becomes youngest Europa League hat-trick scorer

April 12, 2019

10 3 1 minute read

Joao Felix (second right) was promoted to Benfica’s first team from their ‘B’ team last year

It was an eventful night for teenage striker Joao Felix and English referee Anthony Taylor as Benfica took control of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Felix, 19, scored a hat-trick, the first a penalty, with Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka sent off for conceding it.

Luka Jovic levelled for the German side, but Felix’s second and Ruben Dias’ header put Benfica in control.

Felix struck his third before Goncalo Paciencia headed in for the visitors.

Felix, a graduate of Benfica’s youth set-up, is now the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League at 19 years and 152 days. Marko Pjaca previously held the record for Dinamo Zagreb against Celtic in 2014 at 19 years and 219 days.R

Oliver awards two penalties as Valencia stage a late show

Another English referee, Michael Oliver, was in the spotlight in Spain, awarding two penalties as Valencia scored twice in stoppage time to claim a 3-1 victory at La Liga neighbours Villarreal.

Oliver first pointed to the spot when Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes was fouled by Santiago Caseres. Dani Parejo’s penalty was well saved by Andres Fernandez, but Portugal winger Guedes followed up to give the visitors the lead.

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla equalised with the second penalty after Ezequiel Garay brought down former Leicester midfielder Vicente Iborra.

A dramatic final few minutes first saw Daniel Wass fire in to give Valencia the lead before Guedes poked home his second to give the visitors a commanding lead heading to Mestalla next Thursday

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