Cardozo on the spot for Benfica

Oscar Cardozo struck two second half penalties to earn Benfica a 2-1 home win over Liverpool, who played much of the Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie with 10 men.

Daniel Agger had given Rafa Benitez's side an early lead before the Portuguese league leaders took advantage of Ryan Babel's dismissal.

Cardozo scored twice from the spot, either side of Fernando Torres missing a great chance, but Agger's away goal could yet prove crucial for the Reds.

Liverpool could not have asked for a better start in Lisbon as the unmarked Agger cleverly flicked home Steven Gerrard's low free-kick after just nine minutes.

Benfica proceeded to miss a glut of chances, with Cardozo the most culpable, before the Reds were reduced to 10 men just past the half-hour mark.

Luisao's awful challenge on Fernando Torres produced a rash response from Babel, who pushed his hand in the Benfica defender's face in front of the referee and eventually left the field after initial confusion over who had been shown the red card.

Cardozo fluffed another golden chance early in the second half before the Paraguay international striker displayed unerring accuracy to draw Benfica level from the penalty spot on 59 minutes.

Emiliano Insua was penalised for a challenge on Pablo Aimar and Cardozo, whose free-kick had crashed off the post in the lead up to the penalty, powerfully drilled his spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Cardozo picked the same side of the goal for the decisive penalty on 79 minutes, nonchalantly sending Jose Reina the wrong way after Jamie Carragher handled Angel Di Maria's cross.

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