Futsal Champions League quarter-final first legs: Palma, Cartagena, Etoile Lavalloise, Benfica win thrillers

There was plenty of excitement in the first legs of the newly-introduced UEFA Futsal Champions League quarter-finals, and it will be all to play for in the returns on Friday 6 March.

Illes Balears Palma, aiming for a fourth straight title, claimed a 7-4 win against Riga Futsal Club on Sunday to stretch their unbeaten run to 30 European fixtures; they have never lost. The other ties began on Monday, and Cartagena Costa Cálida ensured another Spanish victory with an 11-second comeback as they prevailed 2-1 at Kairat Almaty.

Etoile Lavalloise had an even more dramatic recovery against Kazakhstan's other representatives, overturning a 4-1 deficit in the final eight minutes to defeat Semey 5-4. Yet it was the Lisbon derby that produced perhaps the most drama of all as Benfica equalised three times before scoring with one second left to beat fellow former champions Sporting CP 4-3.

The victors in each contest will advance to the knockout finals in Pesaro, Italy, between 8 and 10 May. A draw will determine the semi-final ties.

Monday's first legs

Benfica 4-3 Sporting CP 

On a night when Sporting coach Nuno Dias coached his 81st UEFA futsal club game – a new record – his team went ahead in the 15th minute, Bruno Pinto volleying in Alex Merlim's free-kick for his ninth goal of the campaign. However, before half-time Jacaré levelled after getting to a Diego Nunes cross, with Benfica showing the same spirit as four days earlier when they scored two late goals to hold Sporting 2-2 in the league.

Sporting led again in the 28th minute thanks to a Merlim free-kick, but once more Benfica responded, Arthur striking after good work from Higor de Souza. But within 40 seconds Zicky, recently returned from injury, showed neat footwork to restore Sporting's advantage. Undeterred, Benfica equalised, this time Raúl Moreira set up by Higor. And just one second remained when Diego Nunes poked in after Arthur's clever back-heel to spark wild celebrations.

Etoile Lavalloise 5-4 Semey 

The winners of this tie will reach their debut finals, and Etoile sold out Espace Mayenne for the first leg in a matter of hours in December. Yet it was Semey who made a swift start as Bruno Gomes volleyed home after 39 seconds, and in the third minute Caio Torres struck from distance. Bilal Bakkali got one back in the ninth minute with a free-kick, but Bruno Gomes soon sent a powerful shot into the roof of the net to restore Semey's two-goal cushion.

Pedrinho turned home a Marcelo kick-in to make it 4-1 early in the second half but again Bakkali reduced the arrears and Abdessamad Mohammed pulled another one back. Torres then received a red card and, despite some Higuita heroics, Etoile profited from the power play when Mohammed set up Soufiane El Mesrar to equalise with less than two minutes left.

Even with the visitors back to five players, 37 seconds later Bakkali worked space and completed his hat-trick. Incredibly, it's the second time Etoile have beaten Semey this season after coming back from three goals down having done so already in October's main round.

Etoile celebrate their winnerEtoile Lavalloise

Kairat Almaty 1-2 Cartagena Costa Cálida 

Kairat beat Cartagena 3-2 in last season's semi-finals and the first leg of the rematch proved just as tight, with both teams having chances before the break, Mellado hitting the post for the visitors. However, just nine seconds after the interval two-time champions Kairat led when goalkeeper Wanderson Silva advanced and his shot deflected in off Tomaz Braga.

Everything changed in the space of 11 seconds during the 25th minute. First the equaliser arrived when advanced keeper Chemi and Gabriel Motta combined to tee up Darío Gil, who then turned provider by sending in the corner for Juninho to give Cartagena the advantage. Kairat pressed hard while at the other end Darío Gil hit the bar.

Sunday's first leg

Illes Balears Palma 7-4 Riga Futsal Club 

Palma went ahead on 12 seconds when a corner was played back for Fabinho to produce a low, long-range shot, and David Peña produced an almost carbon-copy strike in the fifth minute to double the lead. The provider on that occasion, Alisson swiftly added a third with a smart turn and finish, then the fourth following a kick-in move. Late in the first half, Alisson supplied Mateus Maia to make it 5-0, and he served up a third assist six minutes after the break, playing a one-two with Deivão, who chipped in.

Ángel Claudino replied for Riga after winning the ball deep in Palma territory, and Riga keeper Diego Roncaglio then took advantage of an empty home goal to punt in, though he was himself beaten by Charuto soon after. The visitors were not done yet, however, and after Claudino's shot was turned into his own net by Fabinho, the Riga player notched his second goal of the day after combining with Argentina team-mate Dylan Vargas.