Benfica advance in Europa and find out next opponents

Benfica pulled out a victory yesterday over Rangers 1-0 in their second leg Europa League round of 16 game at Ibrox in Glasgow to advance 3-2 on aggregate and move into the final eight of the competition. In what turned into a sloppy affair, thanks to a constant downpour of rain, a second half Rafa Silva goal was the difference as the club moved one step closer to the final in Dublin.

The club learned just a few hours ago that their next round opponent will be French club Marseille, who have turned their game around after a managerial change over the past few weeks. The first leg will go on April 11 at the Estadio da Luz, with the second a week later in Marseille at the Velodrome. The winner of this contest will take on the winner of Liverpool or Atalanta in the semi-finals of the competition.

Benfica's Rafa Silva named player of the month for February

Benfica forward Rafa Silva has been named the Portuguese League player of the month for February in a distinction promoted by the players union, after scoring five goals, while setting up an additional two in four games of action.

Rafa is the first Benfica player to win the award this season, as Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres has dominated the award all season long since arriving in the summer at the club's green and white rivals.

Benfica continue defensive struggles in disappointing home draw

Benfica were the better club on the night in a draw in their first leg encounter against Scottish side Rangers at the Estadio da Luz, but the club will be disappointed once again with their defensive struggles, which has seen the club allow nine goals in their past three competitive games.

Benfica will now travel to Glasgow to take on the Rangers in the second leg of this round of 16 match, hoping that lady luck shines on them and not on Rangers keeper Butland, who made numerous sensational stops on the night preventing Benfica from scoring four or five in this game.

Instead, Benfica trailed the game twice and needed an own goal in the second half to get level. Benfica are hoping for a strong performance this weekend in league action when they host Estoril before traveling to Scotland for the second leg against Rangers on Thursday.