Benfica secured their place in the next round of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers by drawing with Hearts. Holding a comfortable advantage from their dominant first-leg victory, the Portuguese side managed the game with composure. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin remained on the bench throughout, while midfielder Georgiy Sudakov started and played 64 minutes before being substituted.
The home team broke the deadlock late in the match through Thomas Magnusson in the 77th minute. However, Benfica responded swiftly, with Dodi Lukebakio equalizing just two minutes later. This result sets up a decisive qualifying round where Benfica will face Aarhus for a spot in the group stage.
2026-27, UEFA Europa League
Hearts – Benfica 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Magnusson T., 77 (1:0); Lukebakio, 79 (1:1)
Hearts lineup: McCart D.; McEnty; Miller Kel. (Wilson, 75); Findley; Altena; Reno (Magnusson T., 64); MacPeak; Spittal; Genduz (Kerdjota, 75); Braga K. (Kabore P. L., 75)
Substitutions: Magnusson T. (from 64); Kabore P. L. (from 75); Kerdjota (from 75); Wilson (from 75)
Reserves: Fulton R.; Ba-Ci
Yellow cards: Braga K. 34
Benfica lineup: Suarez C.; Lenglet (Araujo T., 46); Dedic A.; Jose Neto; Barrenechea (Barreiro L., 64); Sudakov (Prestiani, 64); Silva Manuel; Rios; Schelderup (Silva Rafa, 79); Lukebakio (Kaminski J., 79); Duran
Substitutions: Araujo T. (from 46); Barreiro L. (from 64); Prestiani (from 64); Kaminski J. (from 79); Silva Rafa (from 79)
Reserves: Trubin; Dahl; Banjaki; Pavlidis E.; Figueiredo M.; Bah A.
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