Torres fires Liverpool in semis

Fernando Torres fired Liverpool into the Europa League semi-finals as a 4-1 win against Benfica clinched a 5-3 aggregate triumph over the Portuguese club last night.

Rafael Benitez's side trailed 2-1 from the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon last week, but two goals in seven minutes from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas erased that deficit before half-time at Anfield.

Torres added a third goal in the second half before Oscar Cardozo's free-kick put Benfica within one goal of going through on away goals.

Just as Liverpool were getting nervous, Torres struck again in the closing stages to set up a semi-final with Atletico Madrid as the Reds continue their bid for a first major European trophy since the 2005 Champions League.

After a spluttering season marred by underachievement in the Premier League and Champions League, this was exactly the sort of result Benitez needed.

Fulham's extraordinary season took another twist as they secured their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg in Germany.

Bobby Zamora's 19th goal of the season after just 21 seconds secured a 3-1 aggregate success after a disciplined performance from Roy Hodgson's side.

Zoltan Gera laid the ball off to Zamora, who performed a clever turn to shrug off Simunek on the edge of the box and beat Diego Benaglio with a calm finish.

The German champions rarely threatened the Cottagers, who will now face Hamburg for a place in the final.

Hamburg booked their place in the last four after a wonderful double from Mladen Petric sunk Standard Liege at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, the Bundesliga side extended their advantage when Petric opened the scoring with a fine header.

Igor De Camargo levelled matters on the night for the Belgians but Petric added a second for Bruno Labbadia's side with a fantastic overhead kick in the 35th minute.

Paolo Guerrero rounded off the scoring in injury time.

Atletico Madrid progressed to the last four after edging past Spanish rivals Valencia on away goals following a tense second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

There was little of the excitement of the first leg which finished in a 2-2 draw, but those away goals at the Mestalla proved crucial for Atletico, who will now face former favourite Fernando Torres and his Liverpool side.

The first half was an evenly-fought battle during which neither goalkeeper had much to do.

Atletico went close with efforts from Sergio Aguero and Antonio Lopez while visiting custodian Cesar Sanchez needed to tip over a looping Diego Forlan shot that threatened to dip under the crossbar.

For injury-hit Valencia, who started with five forwards on the pitch and two midfielders at centre-back, David Villa fired their best opening into the side-netting.