Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of the Europa League semi-final first-leg between Fenerbahce and Benfica at Sükrü Saraçoglu in Istanbul.

Benfica gain some possession and some respite. Cardozo picks up the ball 35 yards from goal and fires in a low shot that is easily gathered by the keeper.

OFF THE POST! Fener hit the woodwork for the third time tonight. On this occasion it's Kuyt who turns brilliantly in the area and hits a right-foot shot that beats the keeper but cannons back off the post.

The home team playing with a higher tempo in this second period and really pushing.

Topal booked for a late tackle on John. He will now miss the second leg.

The corner is half-cleared to Meireles who crashes in a shot that Artur pushes away. Bright start from the Turkish team.

Kuyt wins the ball back for Fener deep in Benfica territory. Cristian picks up the baton and thumps in a low piledriver that Artur is forced to tip past the post.

Cristian is back out on the turf for Fener and looks focused again after the despair of missing that first-half penalty.

BENFICA SUB: Gaitan on for Aimar.

KICK OFF! Fenerbahce restart the match.

HALF-TIME: Fener 0-0 Benfica. A Tight half exploded into life in the dying moments. Cristian's missed spot-kick the main talking point at the break.

MISSED! Cristian steps up but smashes his low penalty against the left-hand post. The Brazilian is in tears as the half-time whistle blows.

John booked and misses the second leg for bringing down Gökhan Gönül.

PENALTY to Fenerbahce!

Sow clips a ball in towards Webo. The Cameroon star can't quite reach it with his leap but almost gets a chance when it rebounds off a defender. Unfortunately he loses his footing at the vital moment. Chance gone.

Benfica enjoying a good spell here. Cardozo seizes possession in the area but drops the shouklder once too often and Yobo is able to thump the ball to safety.

A flurry of bookings in a game that has had very little in terms of niggly fouls.

Maxi Pereira booked.

Cristian booked.

Salvio races clear in the right hand channel but the ball gets stuck under his feet and his attempt at goal almost turns into a cross it is that far away from the target.

Kuyt looking to manufacture something in the Benfica area but sees the ball trickle out for a goal kick. The Dutchman claims a corner but the ref says no. Looked like a corner to me.

Aimar booked for a foul on Meireles, following on from a yellow for Andre Gomes too.