UEL: Atalanta thrash Liverpool, Roma, Leverkusen and Benfica win | OneFootball

There were four Europa League quarter-final first-legs taking place tonight across the continent.

Here is what happened.

Atalanta thrash Liverpool in stunning display at Anfield

Scorers: Scamacca 38′, 61′, Pašalić 84′

Atalanta sent shockwaves across Europe with a stunning and deserved 3-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

They missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just two minutes when the ball fell to Mario Pašalić just yards out after Harvey Elliott lost the ball in a seemingly foul challenge, but Caoimhín Kelleher somehow stopped the midfielder’s shot with his face/head.

The Serie A side continued to look dangerous but Darwin Núñez really should have given Liverpool the lead just before the 15-minute mark. Alexis Mac Allister’s ball was inch-perfect, as was the Uruguayan’s run, but his attempt at a chipped finish went wide when it seemed far easier to round the keeper.

Elliott was in the thick of the action, and nearly scored with a stunning curled effort just before the half hour that beat Juan Musso all ends up. Unfortunately for the young forward, it didn’t beat the crossbar or post, both of which the ball bounced off.

Atalanta took the lead seven minutes before half-time as Premier League old boys Davide Zappacosta and Gianluca Scamacca teamed up. The former Chelsea full-back passed the ball across the box to the ex-West Ham striker, whose shot went through the arms of Kelleher to stun Anfield.

Liverpool brought on Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson for the second half, and quickly they had an impact.

Robertson’s dangerous corner was headed over by Virgil van Dijk before Salah forced Musso into an excellent stop.

Atalanta responded by shocking Anfield again, and it was another for Scamacca, who tapped home inside the box unmarked from Charles De Ketelaere’s cross. He looked offside such was the space he found himself in.

Teun Koopmeiners could have made it three shortly after as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men threatened to run away with the game.

Salah thought he had pulled one back with just over 10 minutes to go but he was inches offside when he tapped in Robertson’s cross at the back post.

Atalanta amazingly made it 3-0 and sealed the win with six minutes go, Mario Pašalić tapping home from close range after Kelleher saved from De Ketelaere.

After masterminding a historic result, Gasperini will now fancy closing out the deal back home next week.

Roma win battle of Italy at San Siro with controversial goal

Scorers: Mancini 17′

Roma silenced the San Siro with a controversial 1-0 victory over Milan.

The sole goal came in the 17th minute, Gianluca Mancini finding himself unmarked in the box to head home Paulo Dybala’s inswinging corner, just as he did in the Rome derby at the weekend.

The goal should never have come to be as Romelu Lukaku was offside when his shot was put wide by Mike Maignan for the corner, but the hosts still had no excuse for what transpired.

Milan struggled in their quest to find an equaliser before the half-time whistle as Daniele De Rossi’s stayed resolute in defence.

Most of the their chances in the second half fell to Tijjani Reijnders but the Dutch midfielder could not find a way past Roma keeper Mile Svilar, who helped his side to a massive victory.

The two sides will meet again next week in the capital with Milan having it all to do.

Leverkusen leave it late to beat West Ham

Scorers: Hoffman 83′, Boniface 90+1′

Bayer Leverkusen made it 42 games unbeaten this season with a late pair of goals giving them a 2-0 victory over West Ham.

The Irons started quite positively but the first opening fell to Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, whose cheeky attempt at a back heel finish was saved by Lukasz Fabianski.

Unsurprisingly given their season to date, Leverkusen began to dominate the ball – Florian Wirtz created four chances inside 30 minutes, three more than the entire Irons’ side.

West Ham stayed strong, however, either side of half-time, despite having very little of the ball and none of the chances.

David Moyes’ men were more comfortable in the second 45, with Fabianski’s save from Schick the real standout.

Leverkusen finally got the breakthrough with seven minutes to go. West Ham didn’t deal with a corner and Jonas Hofmann’s rather weak volley bounced past several players and over the line.

They made it 2-0 in added time as their countless efforts on goal finally paid off. Hoffman’s cross was met by Victor Boniface who made no mistake in sealing the victory.

The late second makes Leverkusen huge favourites to progress next week at the London Stadium, as Xabi Alonso continues to lead a dream season.

Benfica seal narrow win against Marseille

Scorers: Silva 16′, Di Maria 52′; Aubamayeng 67′

Benfica ran out 2-1 winners against Marseille at the Estádio da Luz but Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s goal will give the French side hope of qualifying for the semi-final.

After an even opening quarter of an hour, Benfica took the lead through Rafa Silva. Usually the provider to striker Casper Tengstedt, the roles were reversed this time as the benefited from a lovely pass into the box and finished smartly past Pau Lopez.

The goal gave the hosts all the momentum and they began to settle, dominating possession and restricting any Marseille sightings on goal.

Benfica doubled their lead shortly after half-time and it was Ángel Di María who got it. The veteran World Cup winner got the ball on a counter, exchanged it with David Neres before slotting home from close range.

Needing a lifeline, Marseille got one through their most reliable source: Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng. The Europa League record goalscorer finished neatly after being set up by Azzedine Ounahi.

Benfica held out for a precious first-leg victory but that late Marseille goal means it is all to play for next week.