Benfica teen Felix nets treble in 4-2 Eintracht win
LISBON: Benf ica’s 19 - yearold forward Joao Felix became the youngest player to score a Europa League hat-trick and set up the other goal in 4-2 win over 10- man Eintracht Frankfurt in their quarter- final first leg on Thursday.
The Bundesliga side, who played with 10 men for almost an hour, were in danger of being blown away when Benfica went 4-1 up just after halftime but a second goal by substitute Goncalo Paciencia left the tie more finely balanced for the return.
Benf ica coach Bruno Lage warned against getting carried away with the performance of Joao Fenix, who only made his first-team debut this season.
“If he hadn’t scored tonight, everyone would have said he is off- form, but because he scored three, they say he is flying,” said Lage.
“Let’s take it easy, let him develop and enjoy himself. He has to go out and enjoy himself and that is what he has done. One day he will score three goals, the other he won’t score any. He has to develop naturally.”
Felix, a revelation in his first season in the Benfica first team, got the bal l rol ling from the spot in the 21st minute after Evan N’Dicka was sent off for shoving over goal-bound Gedson Fernandes.
He put the hosts back in front just before the break after Luka Jovic – on loan from Benfica – scored a shock leveller against his parent club in the 40th minute.
Ruben Dias made it three when he headed in Felix’s f lick- on a from a corner, and the 19-year- old side-footed home Alex Grimaldo’s cross to complete his treble nine minutes into the second half, before Goncalo Paciencia pulled one back with his head from a corner to keep the tie alive.
“It feels like every shot they had went in despite me getting something on most of them,” said Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
“It’s not a great feeling for a keeper because you’re the one that has the responsibility to come to your team’s rescue.”
“We could have let our heads drop at 4-1, but we persevered and hopefully a 4-2 loss will be enough come the end of the second leg.”