Benfica and Sevilla dramatically edged their way into the final of the Europa League on Thursday, at the expense of Juventus and Sevilla.
Ten-man Benfica battled out a 0-0 draw away to Juventus - and went through on a 2-1 aggregate – while Sevilla lost 3-1 at Valencia but went through on the away goals rule thanks to an injury-time strike from Stephane M'bia.
Juventus had been keen to go through since the final will be played in their own new stadium on May 14.
Nonetheless, they showed little urgency in their bid to overturn the first leg 2-1 deficit, until the final minutes.
In the 68th minute, Benfica had midfielder Enzo Perez sent off for a second yellow card offence, a foul on Arturo Vidal. Juventus tried to lay siege to the visiting goal but - despite the presence of veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo - lacked the craft and precision to create many clear chances.
Juventus sub Dani Osvaldo had a late goal disallowed for offside, and Benfica managed to play out time despite finishing with nine men due to an injury to defender Ezequiel Garay.
They will be without suspension victims Perez, Lazar Markovic and Eduardo Salvio in the final.
"We deserved to reach the final. We had everything against us tonight but we managed to come through," said Benfica midfielder Nico Gaitan.
"We showed true character tonight, to come through in such difficult circumstances."
Benfica lost the Europa League final last season 2-1 to Chelsea.
The other semi-final was even more dramatic, with M'bia headed in a crucial away goal for Sevilla in the fifth minute of stoppage time after being set up by defender Federico Fazio.
The teams played to a 3-3 aggregate draw, but Sevilla scored more goals away - just one, M'bia's desperate header - and went through.
"To experience this is unique. Tonight what saved us was a lot of heart and faith," said delighted Sevilla boss Unai Emery, who was in charge of Valencia from 2008 to 2012.
"We really had to suffer tonight. Now we want to enjoy the final ... We started out in this competition on August 1. It has been a long and hard road."
Meanwhile, Sevilla hero M'Bia said, "That is the most important goal of my career so far. I dedicate it to my parents, who are not having an easy time of it back in Cameroon."
The only Valencia player who would speak afterwards was Jonas, who simply said, "This is really horrible, dreadful. We have lost in the cruellest possible way."
Sofiane Feghouli gave Valencia an early lead, then Sevilla keeper Beto made it 2-0 with an own goal when trying to keep out a header from Valencia's Jonas.
Defender Jeremy Mathieu made it 3-0 to the hosts and put Valencia ahead in the tie for the first time. However, Sevilla poured forward desperately for an away goal to save them - and M'bia silenced Mestalla with his last-gasp header.
Sevilla won the old UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007.
