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 Photograph: Jamie McDonald/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Adam Davy/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Andres Kudacki/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Paul Hanna/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Felix Ordonez/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Paul White/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: John Powell/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Martin Rose/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Lee Smith/guardian.co.uk Ruud Van Nistelrooy vies with Fulham's Aaron Hughes as the hosts dominate early on Photograph: Fabian Bimmer/EPA Photograph: Fabian Bimmer/guardian.co.uk Fulham's Bobby Zamora dispossesses Hamburg's Joris Mathijsen Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport Photograph: Joe Giddens/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Joe Giddens/guardian.co.uk Zoltan Gera tries an acrobatic approach Photograph: Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images Photograph: Joern Pollex/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Nick Potts/guardian.co.uk