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Report, result, goals from Europa League qualifying as Scottish Premiership side suffer record-equalling defeat

By Newton Christian
August 6, 2026 3 Min Read
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Hearts’ losing start to the season extended to four matches as the Scottish Premiership side equalled their record European defeat by being outclassed at two-time European Cup winners Benfica in the Europa League third qualifying round at the Estadio da Luz.

Rafa Silva slotted in the opener after 144 seconds from Leandro Barreiro’s pass for the hosts, who deservedly doubled their lead 20 minutes later when Tomas Araujo headed in from a corner.

Vangelis Pavlidis added another with a 42nd-minute penalty after Laurent Mendy brought down Gianluca Prestianni and the Greece forward had a goal disallowed before half-time.

The Jam Tarts switched to a back three during the second half, only for Prestianni to capitalise on the visitors repeatedly giving away possession by striking 14 minutes after the restart.

Tom Renaud swept in a reply with 18 minutes remaining and later shot against the crossbar, but Jhon Duran – who has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for around £5.2 million – finished inside the box three minutes from time.

Winger Andreas Schjelderup added a penalty to put the Portuguese heavyweights on the brink of progressing.

Wouter Vrancken has now lost all of his competitive matches since becoming Hearts manager in June, with his team conceding 12 goals across three European games.

Hearts’ largest previous defeat in Europe was a 5-0 loss at home to Tottenham in the 2011/12 Europa League.

Hearts vs Benfica: When is the Europa League second leg?

The return game takes place at Tannadice Park next Thursday. Here are the key details.

Date BST start time ET PT
Thurs, Aug 13 19:45 14:45 11:45

Benfica full team vs Hearts

Benfica made three alterations from their 5-0 home win over Swiss side St. Gallen in qualifying a week earlier, which secured a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Understudy Samuel Soares stepped in for goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, captain Araujo supplanted Antonio Silva following the defender’s switch to Bournemouth and winger Prestianni started after serving a UEFA ban for a homophobic slur towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, in place of Jakub Kaminski.

Benfica starting XI: Samuel Soares, Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Dahl, Rafa, Leandro Barreiro, Heorhii Sudakov, Enzo Barrenechea, Gianluca Prestianni, Vangelis Pavlidis

Benfica substitutes: Anatoliy Trubin, Dodi Lukebakio, Jakub Kaminski, Manu Silva, Amar Dedic, Richard Rios, Andreas Schjelderup, Jhon Duran, Gabriel Indio, Jose Neto, Anisio Cabral, Miguel Figueiredo

The angular silver trophy of European football competition the UEFA Europa League on a green football pitch

Hearts confirmed line up vs Benfica

Hearts made two changes from their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen in their Scottish top-flight opener the previous Saturday.

Forwards Pierre Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kzyiridis replaced Amadou Ba-Sy and Sabah Kerjota.

Hearts starting XI: Beau Reus, Jordi Altena, Oisin McEntee, Stuart Findlay, Harry Milne, Calvin Miller, Blair Spittal, Laurent Mendy, Alexandros Kyziridis, Pierre Landry Kabore, Claudio Braga

Hearts substitutes: Jamie McCart, Tom Renaud, Josh McPake, Sabri Guendouz, James Wilson, Tomas Magnusson, MJ Kamson-Kamara, Zander Clark, Sabah Kerjota, Ryan Fulton, Matthew Gillies, Amadou Ba-Sy

Hearts Scottish Premiership fixtures, schedule

Hearts return to action at home to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (15:00).

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