Liverpool had Ryan Babel sent off as they lost 2-1 at Benfica in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg tie.
In a game marred by several incidences of fans throwing fireworks onto the Estadio da Luz field, Oscar Cardozo scored two penalties for the home side, but only after Daniel Agger had opened the scoring and the visitors had been reduced to ten men.
The Reds started in a positive manner and were rewarded after just nine minutes with Agger's brilliant effort. Benfica's Maxi Pereira contributed to the goal by fouling Steven Gerrard on the left channel. The skipper was quickly on his feet, rolling the set-piece to Agger and the Dane tucked a beautiful left foot effort, off the inside of his boot, into Julio Cesar's net.
Cardoza blazed over as the home side tried to respond immediately. He then missed another chance, while the Brazilian Ramires and the much sought-after Angel di Maria put efforts over the bar for a now fired-up Benfica side.
Next came a massive moment when the Reds were reduced to ten. Luisao received only a yellow card for a dreadful scything tackle from behind on Fernando Torres on the halfway line.
Babel was clearly aggrieved at the Brazilian's behaviour and argued with him before putting his hand to his face a couple of times. He then had words with referee Jonas Eriksson, whose response was to brandish a straight red card for violent conduct at the Liverpool winger.
Babel's team-mates briefly thought they had gone 2-0 up after Cesar punched a Gerrard free-kick into the path of Torres and the Spaniard buried it only to be flagged offside and the first half then ended with a booking for Emiliano Insua after a foul on Di Maria, the card ruling the Argentine out of the second leg next week.
Upon the restart the game was held up after one of the referee's assistants was nearly hit with a firework launched from the crowd and further fireworks followed on the field as the home side won a penalty just ahead of the hour mark.
Benfica had been the team doing all the second half running and Cardozo was given the chance to level the game after his initial free-kick bounced off the post and Insua brought down Pablo Aimar as he eyed up the follow-up. Cardozo buried the penalty past Jose Reina.
Torres tried to bag a second away goal for Rafael Benitez's side but, after collecting a pass from Dirk Kuyt, he could only manage to drag a shot wide.
Cardozo had a much more clear-cut chance to double Benfica's tally soon after. Di Maria sent in a cross that hit Jamie Carragher on the hand. Perhaps it was a little harsh but Cardozo was presented with a second penalty and the result was the same as he fired it to the net.
More fireworks descended behind Reina's goal in the closing minutes and that could yet cause trouble for the Portuguese side. But they were worthy winners and could have had more so, with an away goal in the bag, there is still plenty for Liverpool to play for in this tie.