Football: the best images of tonight's Europa League action

Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez seems happy enough as he walks to the dug-out at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, despite an arduous journey to the Spanish capital. His side have won only five of their last 11 matches and lie seventh in the league; Atlético Madrid have won only once in Europe this season since the Champions League qualifiers and lie 10th in La Liga. Fortune more than form has brought them together at this stage of the Europa League
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Fernando Torres is missing the chance to play against his former club tonight after accepting the need for knee surgery. In his absence, David Ngog is leading the line
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

Nine minutes in and former Manchester United flop Diego Forlan squanders a simple header from close range. But so poor is the Argentinian's effort that the ball drops to his own feet, allowing him to poke it into the net. Comical stuff.
Photograph: Andres Kudacki/AP

Forlan can't believe his luck. Jamie Carragher tried in vain to stop the ball crossing the line, but completely miscued
Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

Dirk Kuyt tries to pluck the ball from the sky as Liverpool hunt an equaliser Photograph: Felix Ordonez/guardian.co.uk

Ngog battles with Atletico's Alvaro Domínguez
Photograph: Felix Ordonez/Action Images

Sotiris Kyrgiakos is raked along his back ... but, after complaining to the referee, he's the one who's yellow carded
Photograph: Paul White/AP

It's proving to be a long and painful night for the visitors - the frustration shows on Steven Gerrard's face as he peels himself off the turf Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/guardian.co.uk

Yossi Benayoun shoots just wide for Liverpool and, at the other end, Pepe Reina is called upon to make two critical saves. Ultimately, the game ends 1-0 and so Liverpool will have to score at Anfield if they are to reach the final.
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Over in Hamburg, Roy Hodgson is looking to prove that he really is the Messiah. Hodgson has, of course, been to the final of this competition before with one of his former clubs, Internazionale
Photograph: Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images

A Hamburg fan makes his affiliation clear befrore the match. He'll be as keen as anyone to watch his side play in the final, which is to be held in Hamburg on May 12
Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Ruud Van Nistelrooy vies with Fulham's Aaron Hughes as the hosts dominate early on
Photograph: Fabian Bimmer/EPA

Fulham's Bobby Zamora dispossesses Hamburg's Joris Mathijsen
Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

The England hopeful picks up an injury as he fires a long-range shot goalwards and is subsequently forced off the pitch ... that's bad news for Fulham
Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Zoltan Gera tries an acrobatic approach
Photograph: Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images

Brede Hangeland is out jumped by Hamburg's Frank Rost in one of the game's few chances. It ends 0-0, which is a decent result for Fulham who'll fancy their chances back at Craven Cottage in the second leg. An all-English final remains a distinct possibility
Photograph: Nick Potts/PA