Winners and Losers from Europa League Semi-Finals
After its main course of Champions League action, the Europa League once again served up the week's final helping of European ties.
As with its more prominent relative, the Europa League was also at its semi-final, second-leg stage.
Juventus hosted Benfica, chasing a 2-1 aggregate score, while Valencia welcomed Sevilla with an even bleaker 2-0 deficit to overcome.
In a night of sustained drama, it was Benfica and Sevilla who preserved their leads, eventually progressing to contest the 2014 final.
Here's a look at the winners and losers from the night's action.
Losers: Italian Luck in the Europa League
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Unable to breach a stubborn Benfica defence, Juventus crashed out 2-1 on aggregate.
Their exit continues a rotten return for Italian clubs, unable to contest a Europa League or UEFA Cup final since 1999—15 years ago.
Since then, nine Spanish, six Portuguese, five English, two German, two Russian and two Scottish teams, along with one Ukrainian, one Turkish, one Dutch and one French side have all made a final.
While other clubs may not have prioritised the competition, Juventus clearly did this time, with the final scheduled to be played in Turin.
The defeat caps a miserable European campaign for the Italian giants.
Winners: Benfica's Back Line
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Benfica secured the 0-0 draw they needed to qualify, producing a rearguard effort with several distinguished defensive contributions.
They absorbed relentless Juventus attacks, repelling the Bianconeri at every turn and somehow emerging unscathed.
Luisao led his back four, making more clearances (11) than any defender, while Ezequiel Garay gave another eye-catching display that included an impressive bicycle-kick clearance.
Behind them, Jan Oblak was in inspirational form. He palmed away the seven shots registered on target, per WhoScored.com.
Losers: Mestalla Crowd
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Football can be cruel.
For 93 minutes, Valencia deftly defied an ugly away goals scenario, levelling the tie by half-time and taking an overall lead on 70 minutes.
Jeremy Mathieu's goal sent the crowd into raptures, with their unlikely rescue act almost complete.
However, with mere seconds remaining, Stephane Mbia's header sent a crushing silence through the stadium to end 93 minutes of steadily increasing hope.
Valencia were denied one of the great nights in their history, left watching Sevilla celebrate with their small travelling support.
Winners: The Away Goals Rule
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The away goals rule suffered during the Champions League, ending two enticing ties long before the final whistle.
An early Benfica or Sevilla strike would have caused similar scenarios, but—thankfully for the neutral—both these games remained intriguing until the death.
While this wasn't entirely down to the ruling itself, which does perhaps need revisiting, its presence created additional drama and tension deep into these ties.
Valencia will disagree, but after a poor showing in the Champions League, this was a far better night for the away goals rule.
Losers: Lazar Markovic, Enzo Perez and Eduardo Salvio
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Lost among the Benfica glee will be the trio of players now missing for the final.
Lazar Markovic, Enzo Perez and Eduardo Salvio are all suspended, unable to compete following cards picked up against Juventus.
Salvio collected a yellow, while Perez was sent off, but the most frustrating absence will be Markovic's.
The Serbian winger was instrumental throughout yet found himself dismissed for his part in an off-field scuffle on 89 minutes.
He had already been substituted just three minutes earlier, seeing red for a clash with Mirko Vucinic.
Winners: The Europa League
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The Europa League rarely receives its share of positive press, often lost in the aftermath of the Champions League.
However, this round was gripping throughout.
Both ties involved strong teams and contrasting scenarios: Valencia almost pulled off a stunning comeback against Sevilla, while Benfica staved off prolonged Juventus attacks.
There was intensity, passion, excitement and pure emotion in both ties, with joyful scenes highlighting genuine commitment from the clubs involved. This bodes well for the competition's longevity.
For one of the few times this season, Thursday's action even eclipsed the drama from the showpiece events of Tuesday and Wednesday.
