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.