Raul Tamudo`s opener, a deflected Albert Riera strike and Walter Pandiani`s effort gave the home side a comfortable lead.

However, Benfica gave themselves a lifeline for the second leg following two strikes within the space of a minute from Nuno Gomes and Simao Sabrosa.

Ernesto Valverde's side started brightly and Ivan De La Pena's deflected shot almost caught out Quim in the first minute, but the veteran midfielder was in an offside position.

At the other end, Simao crossed from the right, but Nuno Gomes' header was cleared by Javi Chica.

But the home side were dominating at this stage and took the lead after 16 minutes, following a brilliant piece of play from Tamudo.

The Espanyol captain received a pass from winger Luis Garcia just out the area, pushed the ball past David Luiz, ran around the Benfica defender and smashed the ball past Quim at the near post to put the Catalans in front.

Benfica looked to respond immediately, but Marc Torrejon blocked Gomes' volley on 20 minutes.

But Espanyol were in control of the game and Riera was a constant threat.

It was no surprise, therefore, when the young midfielder created the second goal after 32 minutes.

The winger sent a blistering volley goalwards and it went in off the head of Benfica defender Nelson.

Despite being two goals down, the Portuguese side then began to play their best football of the match and Catalan goalkeeper Gorka saved brilliantly from a Simao header after 33 minutes, before producing another fantastic intervention to deny Rui Costa 10 minutes later.

Benfica continued to attack after the break and Rui Costa tried his luck again from long range, but the veteran midfielder saw his shot sail well wide.

Tamudo went off after 52 minutes and was given a standing ovation by the home faithful.

His replacement, Walter Pandiani, made an almost immediate impact by giving the Catalans a three-goal lead.

After Riera had crossed from the left, the Uruguayan headed past Quim to send the home fans delirious.

But Benfica stormed back with two goals in a minute.

First, substitute Fabrizio Miccoli charged into the area and squared for the unmarked Nuno Gomes to fire into the empty net.

In the very next attack, Simao skipped past two challenges before firing a fine curled effort just inside Gorka's far post.

Antonio Alvarez Ito and Pandiani threatened in the final seconds as Espanyol looked for a fourth goal, but Quim produced two excellent saves.