Luisao brace condemns Tottenham Hotspur to defeat

A brace from Luisao has handed Benfica a commanding lead in their Europa League last-16 tie with Tottenham Hotspur as they beat Tim Sherwood's side 3-1 at White Hart Lane in the first leg.

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Spurs started the game well and dominated possession in the early stages, but they lacked any penetration in the final third as Sandro fired their only effort over the bar from 20 yards.

The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute when a pass from Ruben Amorim cut open the home side's defence as Rodrigo got in behind Kyle Naughton, and he slotted the ball past Hugo Lloris.

After half time, Spurs should have been level as Christian Eriksen released Emmanuel Adebayor with a through-ball down the middle, but the striker was unable to find the net as he put his effort wide.

Adebayor was made to pay for his miss when Benfica doubled their advantage with Amorim again the provider. He lifted a corner into the box, which was glanced past Lloris by Luisao to hand the visitors a commanding lead.

However, Tim Sherwood's side pegged them back immediately as Eriksen fired a free kick into the top corner beating Jan Oblak after Harry Kane was felled outside the box.

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An error from Lloris almost handed Benfica their two-goal lead back as he came to head the ball out of his box and missed it. Fortunately for the Frenchman he was able to gather the ball before Rodrigo could pounce.

The visitors did get a third goal when Nicolas Gaitan lifted a free kick into the box and although Lloris did well to beat away a header from Ezequiel Garay, Luisao was there to poke home the rebound.