On Thursday, ten matchups took place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, featuring a mix of tightly contested battles and dominant performances.
Benfica, missing Trubin but featuring Sudakov, delivered a crushing 6-1 victory over Hearts. The Ukrainian midfielder contributed with an assist.
PAOK, who had eliminated Dynamo previously, suffered a narrow 0-1 home defeat to Anderlecht, conceding an early goal from Cvetkovic in the opening minute.
Universitatea Craiova, with Romanchuk in their ranks, secured an away draw against KuPS. However, the Ukrainian player did not participate in this match.
2026-27 Europa League
Matchday: 2026-08-06
Lincoln Red Imps and Omonia played out a 1-1 draw (0-0 at halftime). Rutjens opened the scoring in the 71st minute for Lincoln Red Imps, but Andreu P. equalized for Omonia in the 90th minute. Bookings were shown to El Gobashi (66), Toledano (67), Joe (82), and Hankins (90) for Lincoln Red Imps, while Maric M. (40) and Balkovets (90) were cautioned for Omonia.
KuPS and Universitatea Craiova also drew 1-1 (0-1 at halftime). Bayaram scored for Universitatea in the 39th minute, but Moreno Ha. leveled for KuPS in the 72nd minute. Antwi K. received a yellow card in the 36th minute for KuPS, and Rus A. was booked in the 68th minute for Universitatea.
Lech edged Klaksvik 1-0 (0-0) thanks to Angero’s goal in the 81st minute. Murawski was booked at 41 minutes for Lech, while Sinjan (34), Rolantsson (50), Brattbakk (58), and Klettskard (65) received cautions for Klaksvik.
Tun secured a convincing 3-0 (2-0) win over Vikingur R. Bamer opened the scoring in the 19th minute, followed by Labo in the 25th. Pennarossa sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th minute. Yellow cards were issued to Hoyle (45) and Zukit (66) for Tun, and Hafsteinsson (45) and Trandarson (61) for Vikingur R.
Benfica dominated Hearts 6-1 (3-0). Rafa Silva scored early in the 3rd minute, with Araujo T. adding a second in the 23rd. Pavlidis E. converted a penalty in the 42nd minute. Prestiani netted in the 59th, Reno scored for Hearts in the 72nd, but Duran (87) and Schelderup from a penalty in the 90th completed the rout. Bookings went to Prestiani (33) and Bach A. (79) for Benfica, while Spittal (70), McEnty (84), and Braga K. (89) were cautioned for Hearts.
Hradec Králové fell 0-1 (0-0) at home to Besiktas, with Kilicoy scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute. Van Buren (2) and Ugrincat (29) were booked for Hradec Králové, while Cerny V. (37), Watarra K. (65, 71), and Oh Hyung-gyu (83) received yellow cards for Besiktas. Notably, Watarra K. was sent off in the 71st minute.
Jagiellonia defeated Rangers 2-1 (2-1). Montoya G. scored an own goal in the 4th minute to give Rangers the lead, but Fernandez E-l equalized in the 13th minute. Shmyt put Jagiellonia ahead in the 21st minute. Kobayashi was booked at 88 minutes for Jagiellonia, while Rommens (5), Chukwuni (34), and Raskin (90) were cautioned for Rangers.
PAOK lost 0-1 (0-1) at home to Anderlecht, conceding a goal to Cvetkovic in the opening minute. Cards were shown to Hatzidiakos (38) and Elustondo (86) for PAOK, and N’Diaye M. (56), Llansana (58), and Sikan (90) for Anderlecht.
Salzburg edged Pafos 1-0 (0-0) with a late goal from Tabakovic in the 88th minute. Bari Ab. was booked at 75 minutes for Salzburg, while Luis D. (36), Sema (46, 90), and Shunic I. (82) received cautions for Pafos. Sema was also sent off in the 90th minute.
Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a 0-3 (0-2) defeat at home to CSKA Sofia. Ebong opened the scoring in the 9th minute, followed by Godoy S. in the 29th and Zwarts in the 90th. Bookings were given to Abu Farhi (31), Kamara M. (43), and Shlomo (85) for Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Jordao B. (18), Pittas (54), Zwarts (85), and Sensi (90) were cautioned for CSKA Sofia.
