Benfica push for Europa League, league phase

Benfica are advancing through the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League qualifiers in pursuit of the league phase. In the second qualifying round, the Eagles overcame Swiss side St. Gallen 6-2 on aggregate. After a narrow 2-1 first-leg defeat away, Benfica responded emphatically with a 5-0 home victory at Estadio da Luz on, powered by a Vangelis Pavlidis hat-trick plus.

Now in the third qualifying round, Benfica face Scottish club Hearts. The first leg is scheduled for tomorrow,  on August 6 at Estadio da Luz, with the return at Tynecastle Park on August 13. Victory would propel them into the play-offs, where the draw has paired the winner against the loser of AGF Aarhus versus Sabah.

Those ties are set for August 20 and 27. As one of the highest-ranked sides in the main path, Benfica remain strong favorites to reach the 36-team league phase and continue their European campaign this season. 

Benfica prioritizes Cruzeiro centre-back Jonathan Jesus

Portuguese giants Benfica have made Cruzeiro’s 22-year-old centre-back Jonathan Jesus a priority target. The Brazilian is seen as an ideal replacement for Antonio Silva, who joined Bournemouth for €25 million, adding depth with the free agent departure of Nicolas Otamendi at the end of the season.

Reports indicate Jesus’ agent is in Lisbon for talks with Benfica officials, including Rui Costa. The player, under contract until June 2029 with a €100 million release clause, has attracted strong interest. Real Sociedad offered €15 million, which Cruzeiro rejected, with the Brazilian club reportedly seeking at least €20 million. Benfica are prepared to match or exceed the €15 million figure. Other interested clubs include Real Betis and Valencia from La Liga, while Zenit previously made an approach.

Signed from Ceara in mid-2024 for €1.43 million, Cruzeiro purchased 90% of his economic rights. Jesus has rapidly established himself as a regular at Cruzeiro, the right-footed defender is comfortable on both sides of the central defense. In 2025 he featured in 31 matches, scoring once and providing one assist. This season, he has already made 26 appearances across all competitions with one goal, delivering consistent defensive solidity that would strengthen Benfica’s back line for domestic and European challenges.    

Benfica storm into next round after demolition of St Gallen

Benfica secured a dominant 5–0 victory over Swiss side St. Gallen at the Estadio da Luz today, successfully overturning a 2–1 first-leg deficit to advance 6–2 on aggregate into the next round of the Europa League. The undisputed hero of the evening was Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who netted a magnificent four goals in 74 minutes.

Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 11th minute and completely dismantled the visitors in the second half, striking again in the 55th, 65th, and 74th minute of the game. New signing Clement Lenglet capped off the glittering display with an 82nd-minute goal.

St. Gallen’s frustrations boiled over when Jozo Stanic was sent off following a second yellow card in the 57th minute. With this commanding comeback, Marco Silva's squad moves on to the next phase of the  competition, where they will take on Scottish side Hearts in a two leg affair.