Europe — 05 April 2013

Gareth Bale sustains an ankle injury in Tottenham's 2-2 draw with  in the Europa LeagueThe first leg quarter-finals of the Europa League took place last night and it was a night full of goals.

Tottenham came back from two goals down to draw with Swiss side Basel 2-2 at White Hart Lane.

The visitors took the lead on 30 minutes Valentin Stocker firing past Brad Friedel in the Tottenham goal.

It got even better for the Swiss side on 35 minutes, as Fabian Frei headed home from a Stocker corner kick.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor got a goal back for Spurs in the 40th minute. The comeback was complete on 58minutes, a Gylfi Sigurdsson’s effort took a deflection and found the back of Yann Sommer’s net.

In injury-time Tottenham suffered what could be a season-ending ankle injury to star player Gareth Bale. However, Spurs will be relieved to have rescued a draw to take to Basel for the second leg.

Elsewhere, Chelsea defeated Russian side Rubin Kazan 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Fernando Torres gave the Blues the lead on 16 minutes, before Victor Moses doubled the home sides’ advantage on 32 minutes.

The visitors got back in the tie in the 41st minute. Chelsea captain John Terry was penalised for a handball in the penalty area and Bebars Natcho scored from the resulting spot-kick. Torres headed home his second of the game on 70minutes from a Juan Mata cross.

In Portugal Benfica defeated Newcastle 3-1 at the Estadio Da Luz. The visitors took the lead on 12 minutes through Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse. That lead lasted 13 minutes as Benfica striker Rodrigo equalised for the home side.

The Portuguese side took the lead through Lima on 65 minutes. Benfica clinched victory on the night through a 71st minute penalty from Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo.

In Istanbul Fenerbache defeated 10-man Lazio 2-0. Lazio were reduced to ten men just after the break as Ogenyi Onazi was dismissed. The Turkish side took full advantage with goals from Pierre Webo and an injury-time penalty from Dirk Kuyt winning them the game.

Is Gareth Bale’s season over?

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David Nugent

David is a 29 year-old football fan and journalist, who is passionate about the beautiful game. He is a lifelong supporter of Premier League Everton and likes nothing better than a healthy discussion about the world's favourite sport.

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