Benfica vs St. Gallen preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Europa League, Europe
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica Thu, 30 Jul - 7:00 PM
Europa League
BenficaSLB
5 0
St. GallenSG
Full Time Thu, 30 Jul 7:00 PM
2nd Qualifying Round Leg 2 of 2 Aggregate : 6 - 2
Vangelis Pavlidis - 11', 55', 65', 74' (P)
Goal
|
|
Second yellow card Jozo Stanic 57'

CONTEXT

Match is finished. Benfica 5–0 St. Gallen. The result saw Benfica take the points. Benfica showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Possession-adjusted chance creation was in line with projected levels. The end result aligned with the pre-match projection. Possession was 72%–28%. The match featured at least one red card, which may have affected the flow of the game.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Benfica 5-0 St. Gallen. Benfica showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with the stronger team profile.
  • xG alignment: xG alignment assessment was unavailable due to missing metrics.
  • Market alignment: The final result proved market aligned with Benfica as winner.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations could not be evaluated from provided data.
  • Event impact: The second half adjustments centered on red card distortion.
  • Red card distortion: St. Gallen received one red card which altered the contest.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
F. Badstübner
F. Badstübner
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
C. Günsch
C. Günsch
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
P. Hüwe
P. Hüwe
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
R. Braun
R. Braun
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Benfica M. Saraiva Da Silva
M. Saraiva Da Silva
VS
St. Gallen E. Maaßen
E. Maaßen
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
3
0 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Gallen Rank: 67 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
3 i
Last 6 Opponents
Benfica Rank: 88 W
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 1
1

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Benfica
80.57%
Draw
11.66%
Away St. Gallen
7.77%

Movement

Changes since opening
Benfica
-16.09%
Draw
+9.76%
St. Gallen
+6.33%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
89.3
71.24
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Benfica
St. Gallen
Power Score
89.3
71.24
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
21
282

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Benfica — Opponent-weighted form score
St. Gallen — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Benfica St. Gallen

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Benfica

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

St. Gallen

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Benfica ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy St. Gallen
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
39.65
44.64
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
44.64
39.65
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Benfica -0.26 Efficiency Index
vs
St. Gallen +0.26 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Benfica
St. Gallen
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Benfica ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy St. Gallen
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Benfica St. Gallen
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
1.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Benfica St. Gallen
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 1.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Benfica
St. Gallen
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Benfica
vs
St. Gallen
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Benfica St. Gallen
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Benfica 0.35
St. Gallen 0.37
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Benfica St. Gallen
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Benfica 0.00
St. Gallen 0.07
Benfica
St. Gallen
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • SLB had peak pressure around 86'.
  • SLB started the game with stronger pressure.
SLB Pressure SG Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: SLB reached the top pressure at 86' (52.58).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 1 match between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Benfica SLB Home
1 matches
St. Gallen SG Away
Match Record
0
Wins
1
0
Draws
0
1
Losses
0
Goals
1
Goals Scored
2
2
Goals Conceded
1
-1
Goal Difference
+1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-31T00:07:55+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-5-2
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 30, 2026, 07:00 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Europa League, Europe · 2nd Qualifying Round · Leg 2 of 2 · Aggregate : 6 - 2
Stadium
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Capacity
68100
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Florian Badstübner
Christof Günsch
Philipp Hüwe
Robin Braun

Statistics

Possession
SLB
67%
SG
33%

Top Statistics

5 Goals 0
16 Shots 8
71 Dangerous attacks 30
72 Possession 28
9 Corners 2
12 Free kicks 5
0 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 1

Match Overview

1 Penalties 0
5 Substitutions 5
26 Throwins 17
0 Hit Woodwork 1
6 Dribble Attempts 10

Attacking

116 Attacks 69

Possession

36 Long Passes 11
612 Passes 234
86 Successful Passes Percentage 70
18 Key Passes 9

Defensive

2 Saves 5
8 Tackles 10
8 Interceptions 13

Build-up

12 Total Crosses 7

Discipline

3 Offsides 3
5 Fouls 12

Lineup

Referee : Florian Badstübner

Starting XI ▼

1
Anatoliy Trubin
Anatoliy Trubin Goalkeeper
6.97
2
Clément Lenglet
Clément Lenglet Defender
7.8
4
António Silva
António Silva Defender
7.94
6
Alexander Bah
Alexander Bah Defender
7.27
17
Amar Dedić
Amar Dedić
Defender77'
6.54
26
Samuel Dahl
Samuel Dahl Defender
7.57
5
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea Midfielder
6.91
10
Georgiy Sudakov
Georgiy Sudakov Midfielder
7.97
13
Jakub Kamiński
Jakub Kamiński Midfielder
7.18
21
Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup
Midfielder76'
6.43
18
Leandro Barreiro
Leandro Barreiro Midfielder
6.67
20
Richard Ríos
Richard Ríos
Midfielder66'
6.65
27
Rafa Silva
Rafa Silva Midfielder
7.01
11
Dodi Lukébakio
Dodi Lukébakio
Midfielder76'
7.22
14
Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis Attacker
4
9.85
22
Jhon Durán
Jhon Durán
Attacker77'
6.59
Referee : Florian Badstübner

Starting XI ▼

25
Lukas Watkowiak
Lukas Watkowiak Goalkeeper
6.2
4
Jozo Stanic
Jozo Stanic Defender
5.49
26
Tom Gaal
Tom Gaal Defender
6.42
74
Joel Ruiz
Joel Ruiz
Defender33'
6.06
7
Christian Witzig
Christian Witzig Midfielder
6.4
9
Andrin Hunziker
Andrin Hunziker
Attacker57'
6.5
10
Lukas Daschner
Lukas Daschner Midfielder
6.43
11
Carlo Boukhalfa
Carlo Boukhalfa Midfielder
6.66
20
Leon Frokaj
Leon Frokaj
Midfielder57'
6.6
16
Lukas Görtler
Lukas Görtler Midfielder
6.16
63
Corsin Konietzke
Corsin Konietzke
Midfielder71'
6.36
28
Hugo Vandermersch
Hugo Vandermersch Midfielder
6.36
36
Chima Okoroji
Chima Okoroji Midfielder
6.28
64
Mihailo Stevanovic
Mihailo Stevanovic Midfielder
6.59
14
Aliou Baldé
Aliou Baldé Attacker
6.82
47
Enoch Owusu
Enoch Owusu
Attacker71'
6.52

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Clément Lenglet
Field Goal / 4th Goal
82'
Event
Amar Dedić → Alexander Bah
9th Substitution
77'
Event
Jhon Durán → Vangelis Pavlidis
10th Substitution
77'
Event
Dodi Lukébakio → Rafa Silva
7th Substitution
76'
Event
Andreas Schjelderup → Jakub Kamiński
8th Substitution
76'
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Penalty / 1st Penalty
74'
71'
Event
Corsin Konietzke → Lukas Görtler 
5th Substitution
71'
Event
Enoch Owusu → Aliou Baldé
6th Substitution
Event
Richard Ríos → Leandro Barreiro
4th Substitution
66'
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Field Goal / 3rd Goal
65'
57'
Event
Leon Frokaj → Carlo Boukhalfa
2nd Substitution
57'
Event
Andrin Hunziker → Christian Witzig
3rd Substitution
57'
Event
Jozo Stanic
Tripping / 1st Yellow/red Card
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Field Goal / 2nd Goal
55'
50'
Event
Chima Okoroji
Holding / 2nd Yellowcard
1ST-HALF
33'
Event
Joel Ruiz → Tom Gaal
1st Substitution
21'
Event
Jozo Stanic
Roughing / 1st Yellowcard
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Field Goal / 1st Goal
11'

Match Commentary

85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
82
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Clement Lenglet scores, making it 5-0.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
77
Update Update
Amar Dedic replaces Alexander Bahr.
77
Update Update
Jhon Duran is on, and Vangelis Pavlidis is off.
75
Update Update
Dodi Lukebakio Ngandoli comes on for Rafael Ferreira Silva.
75
Update Update
Andreas Schjelderup comes on for Jakub Kaminski.
74
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal in the penalty shootout! Vangelis Pavlidis scores, making it 4-0.
71
Update Update
Enoch Owusu is on, and Aliou Balde is off.
71
Update Update
Corsin Konietzke comes on for Aliou Balde.
70
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
66
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-0.
66
Update Update
Richard Rios comes on for Leandro Barreiro Martins.
66
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-0.
65
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-0.
63
Update Update
Offside.
59
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
57
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Second yellow card issued to Jozo Stanic.
57
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Andrin Hunziker comes on for Christian Witzig.
57
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Leon Frokaj comes on for Carlo Boukhalfa.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Vangelis Pavlidis scores, making it 2-0.
51
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
50
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Chima Chima Okoroji.
45
Update Update
Offside.
38
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
37
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
36
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
35
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
33
Update Update
Joel Ruiz comes on for Tom Gaal.
28
Update Update
Offside.
24
Update Update
Offside.
24
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
21
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Jozo Stanic.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-0.
7
Update Update
Offside.
3
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Florian Badstubner.

CONCLUSION

Benfica delivered a dominant display to close out the tie with a 5-0 win and advance comfortably. The early goal set the tone before the red card further tilted proceedings in the second half. High possession and sustained pressure allowed Benfica to extend their lead repeatedly. St. Gallen struggled to create opportunities after the dismissal and finished without reply. The result confirmed Benfica as the clear winner across both legs. Overall the performance highlighted effective use of numerical advantage and territorial control. Benfica progress to the next stage with momentum intact.