Benfica vs Hearts preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Europa League, Europe
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica Today - 7:00 PM
Europa League
Benfica SLB
6 1
Hearts HEA
Full Time Today 7:00 PM
3rd Qualifying Round Leg 1 of 2
Rafa Silva - 3'
Tomás Araújo - 23'
Vangelis Pavlidis - 42' (P)
Gianluca Prestianni - 59'
Jhon Durán - 87'
Andreas Schjelderup - 90+4' (P)
Goal
|
Goal
Tom Renaud - 72'

CONTEXT

In the opening leg of the tie, Benfica delivered a commanding performance to defeat Hearts 6-1 at home. The Portuguese side controlled the game with 67 percent possession and generated an expected goals total of 4.04 compared to the visitors' 0.86. They established a 3-0 advantage by halftime through clinical finishing in the first period. The match outcome proved consistent with the xG differential of 3.18, underscoring Benfica's superiority. Hearts managed only a single goal in response while failing to challenge effectively due to their lower share of the ball. No red cards occurred during the contest, preserving the standard flow of play. This result highlighted Benfica's ability to convert dominance into a substantial scoreline without any major disruptions.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Benfica recorded a significant 15.1 percent deviation in their performance output.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with expectations for the stronger team.
  • xG alignment: The final result aligned with the xG figures showing 4.04 for Benfica and 0.86 for Hearts.
  • Market alignment: The outcome proved consistent with available projections for the match.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations indicated a substantial advantage for Benfica throughout the contest.
  • Event impact: The halftime score of 3-0 established early control for the home side.
  • Red card distortion: With no red cards issued, the match proceeded without any distortion from dismissals.
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
M. Barbu
M. Barbu
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
M. Grigoriu
M. Grigoriu
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
I. Bucsi
I. Bucsi
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
Radu Marian Petrescu
Radu Marian Petrescu
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
Hearts W. Vrancken
W. Vrancken
1.5
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Gallen Rank: 70 W
St. Gallen Rank: 67 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0 i
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Benfica
84.93%
Draw
9.76%
Away Hearts
5.31%

Movement

Changes since opening
Benfica
-11.73%
Draw
+7.86%
Hearts
+3.87%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
89.1
74.65
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Benfica
Hearts
Power Score
89.1
74.65
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
22
180

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
Hearts — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Benfica Hearts

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 —

Hearts

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

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

Benfica
vs
Hearts
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Benfica Hearts
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
44%
41%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
2.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
+0.22 vs -0.35
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Benfica Hearts
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
41%
44%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 2.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.35 vs +0.22
Benfica
Hearts
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
Hearts
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Benfica Hearts
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 0.00
Hearts 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Benfica Hearts
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
Hearts 0.00
Benfica
Hearts
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 13'.
  • SLB started the game with stronger pressure.
SLB Pressure HEA Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: SLB reached the top pressure at 13' (100.00).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-4-2
Pitch
S. Jumpe Soares
Portugal
24 S. Jumpe Soares
A. Hartmann Bah
Denmark
6 A. Hartmann Bah
T. Araújo
Portugal
44 (C) T. Araújo
C. Lenglet
Substitution
France
2 C. Lenglet
S. Dahl
Sweden
26 S. Dahl
L. Barreiro Martins
Luxembourg
18 L. Barreiro Martins
E. Barrenechea
Substitution
Argentina
5 E. Barrenechea
G. Prestianni Gross
Substitution
Argentina
25 G. Prestianni Gross
H. Sudakov
Substitution
Ukraine
10 H. Sudakov
R. Fernandes Ferreira da Silva
Portugal
27 R. Fernandes Ferreira da Silva
V. Pavlidis
Substitution
Greece
14 V. Pavlidis

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 06, 2026, 07:00 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Europa League, Europe · 3rd Qualifying Round · Leg 1 of 2
Stadium
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Capacity
68100
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Marian Alexandru Barbu
Mircea Mihail Grigoriu
Imre-Laszlo Bucsi
Radu Marian Petrescu

Statistics

Possession
SLB
63%
HEA
37%

Top Statistics

6 Goals 1
8 Big Chances Created 2
8 Shots 5
42 Dangerous attacks 23
67 Possession 33
6 Corners 2
12 Free kicks 12
2 Yellow Cards 4

Match Overview

2 Penalties 0
5 Goal Kicks 6
5 Substitutions 5
20 Throwins 5
1 Hit Woodwork 1
12 Dribble Attempts 10
12 Successful Dribbles 10
75 Successful Dribbles Percentage 67

Attacking

118 Attacks 47

Possession

31 Long Passes 21
643 Passes 308
89 Successful Passes Percentage 84
15 Key Passes 7

Defensive

1 Saves 5
10 Tackles 17
5 Interceptions 17
47 Duels Won 49

Build-up

7 Total Crosses 12

Discipline

2 Offsides 2
12 Fouls 12

Lineup

Referee : Marian Alexandru Barbu

Starting XI ▼

24
Samuel Soares
Samuel Soares Goalkeeper
2
Clément Lenglet
Clément Lenglet Defender
16
Manu Silva
Manu Silva
Midfielder73'
6
Alexander Bah
Alexander Bah Defender
26
Samuel Dahl
Samuel Dahl Defender
44
Tomás Araújo
Tomás Araújo (C) Defender
5
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea Midfielder
20
Richard Ríos
Richard Ríos
Midfielder66'
10
Georgiy Sudakov
Georgiy Sudakov Midfielder
21
Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup
Midfielder66'
18
Leandro Barreiro
Leandro Barreiro Midfielder
25
Gianluca Prestianni
Gianluca Prestianni Midfielder
13
Jakub Kamiński
Jakub Kamiński
Midfielder85'
27
Rafa Silva
Rafa Silva Midfielder
14
Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis Attacker
22
Jhon Durán
Jhon Durán
Attacker66'
Referee : Marian Alexandru Barbu

Starting XI ▼

1
Beau Reus
Beau Reus Goalkeeper
6
Oisin McEntee
Oisin McEntee Defender
17
Stuart Findlay
Stuart Findlay Defender
18
Harry Milne
Harry Milne (C) Defender
5
Jamie McCart
Jamie McCart
Defender46'
23
Jordi Altena
Jordi Altena Defender
7
Calvin Miller
Calvin Miller Midfielder
15
Josh McPake
Josh McPake
Midfielder73'
16
Blair Spittal
Blair Spittal Midfielder
78
Laurent Mendy
Laurent Mendy Midfielder
12
Tom Renaud
Tom Renaud
Midfielder46'
89
Alexandros Kyziridis
Alexandros Kyziridis Midfielder
29
Sabah Kerjota
Sabah Kerjota
Attacker86'
10
Cláudio Braga
Cláudio Braga Attacker
11
Pierre Landry Kaboré
Pierre Landry Kaboré Attacker
19
Sabri Guendouz
Sabri Guendouz
Attacker64'

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Andreas Schjelderup
Right foot shot / 2nd Penalty
90+4'
89'
Event
Cláudio Braga
Roughing / 6th Yellowcard
Event
Jhon Durán
Left foot shot / 5th Goal
87'
86'
Event
Sabah Kerjota → Alexandros Kyziridis
10th Substitution
Event
Jakub Kamiński → Gianluca Prestianni
9th Substitution
85'
84'
Event
Oisin McEntee
Roughing / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Alexander Bah
Holding / 4th Yellowcard
79'
Event
Manu Silva → Clément Lenglet
8th Substitution
73'
73'
Event
Josh McPake → Calvin Miller
7th Substitution
72'
Event
Tom Renaud
Right foot shot / 4th Goal
70'
Event
Blair Spittal
Tripping / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Jhon Durán → Vangelis Pavlidis
4th Substitution
66'
Event
Richard Ríos → Enzo Barrenechea
5th Substitution
66'
Event
Andreas Schjelderup → Georgiy Sudakov
6th Substitution
66'
64'
Event
Sabri Guendouz → Pierre Landry Kaboré
3rd Substitution
Event
Gianluca Prestianni
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
59'
46'
Event
Jamie McCart → Harry Milne
1st Substitution
46'
Event
Tom Renaud → Laurent Mendy
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Offside / Goal Disallowed
45'
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Right foot shot / 1st Penalty
42'
41'
Event
Laurent Mendy
2nd Yellowcard
Event
Gianluca Prestianni
Unsportsmanlike conduct / 1st Yellowcard
33'
Event
Tomás Araújo
Header / 2nd Goal
23'
Event
Rafa Silva
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
3'

Match Commentary

89
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Claudio Braga receives a yellow card.
87
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Jhon Duran scores with an assist from Andreas Schjelderup. The score is now 5-1.
86
Update Update
On Sabah Kerjota, off Alexandros Kyziridis.
85
Update Update
Jakub Kaminski is on, and Gianluca Prestianni is off.
85
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Oisin McEntee receives a yellow card.
80
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
79
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Alexander Bahr.
73
Update Update
Joshua McPake comes on for Calvin Miller.
73
Update Update
Rafael Ferreira Silva comes on for Clement Lenglet.
72
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Tom Renaud scores, making it 4-1.
70
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Blair Spittal receives a yellow card.
65
Update Update
Andreas Schjelderup comes on for Georgiy Sudakov.
65
Update Update
Richard Rios comes on for Enzo Barrenechea.
65
Substitution Substitution
Jhon Duran is substituted off for Vangelis Pavlidis.
64
Update Update
Sabri Guendouz is coming on for Pierre Kabore.
62
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
59
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Gianluca Prestianni scores, making it 4-0.
46
Update Update
Jamie McCarthy is on, and Harry Milne is off.
46
Update Update
On comes Tom Renaud, off goes Laurent Mendy.
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
VAR decision: the goal is disallowed due to offside.
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 4-0.
44
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card for Laurent Mendy.
42
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal in the penalty shootout! Vangelis Pavlidis scores, bringing the tally to 3-0.
40
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
33
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Samuel Dahl receives a yellow card.
30
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
28
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
23
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-0.
23
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
21
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
8
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
3
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-0.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Marian Barbu.

CONCLUSION

Final score detail: Benfica 6-1 Hearts. Structural assessment: Benfica exhibited a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Efficiency outcome: Possession-adjusted chance creation finished in line with projected levels. Result alignment: The final score was consistent with the pre-match probability model. Market alignment: The match result was within the projected probability range.