# Benfica and Portuguese clubs finalize European paths > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/benficast-gallen-europa-league-tie > Updated: 2026-08-27T07:00:00.000Z. Sources: 107. Developments: 13. Benfica has secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League league phase after defeating Danish side AGF Aarhus with a 6-2 aggregate score. Following a 3-1 victory in the first leg in Lisbon, the Portuguese club won the second leg in Denmark 3-1. Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni was a standout performer, scoring twice in the decisive second leg. Under head coach Marco Silva, the team has maintained an unbeaten run of seven matches. Following the draw in Monte Carlo, Benfica’s Europa League opponents have been confirmed as AC Milan, AZ Alkmaar, Celtic, Vitoria Plzen, Lech Poznan, Omonia, OFI Creta, and NECT. Benfica president Rui Costa expressed satisfaction with the squad and the signing of João Palhinha, though he suggested potential minor roster adjustments may occur before the UEFA registration deadline on September 2. Other Portuguese clubs also finalized their European paths. Torreense, making its European debut as the Taça de Portugal winner, will compete in the Europa League league phase against Olympiacos, Real Sociedad, Celtic, Ferencváros, Sunderland, Lech Poznan, Ararat-Armenia, and Lillestrom. Meanwhile, SC Braga has been drawn into the UEFA Conference League league phase, facing Gent, KuPS, Brann, Aarhus, Egnatia, and Copenhagen. Braga is scheduled to play three matches at home and three away during this campaign. ## Claims - António Silva played the full match and is expected to transfer to Bournemouth. (disputed by 4 sources) - Benfica’s defender António Silva remains at the club and is fully committed. (disputed by 3 sources) - Benfica defeated St Gallen 5‑0 in the second‑leg match. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Vangelis Pavlidis scored four goals (a poker) in the match. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Benfica lost the first leg 2‑1 to St. Gallen in Switzerland. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The second leg was played at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on 30 July 2026 at 20:00. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Benfica needed to win by at least two goals to advance without extra time. (corroborated by 13 sources) - If Benfica won by a single goal, the tie would go to a penalty shoot‑out. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The winner of the tie will face Hearts in the next round. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The match was played at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Benfica advanced to the third qualifying round of the Europa League. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Portuguese clubs secure UEFA Europa and Conference League spots Portuguese clubs Benfica, Torreense, and SC Braga have confirmed their opponents for the UEFA Europa League and Conference League following recent draws and successful qualifying campaigns. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-faces-agf-aarhus-in-europa-league-playoff-second-leg ### 2026-08-18: Benfica defeats Aarhus 3-1 in Europa League playoff first leg Benfica defeated Aarhus 3-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff, moving closer to qualifying for the tournament's league stage. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-defeats-aarhus-3-1-in-europa-league-playoff-first-leg ### 2026-08-06: Partizan and Benfica secure significant wins in European qualifiers Partizan defeated Tobol 3-0 in Conference League qualifiers, while Benfica secured a dominant 6-1 victory over Hearts in the Europa League third qualifying round. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/partizan-and-benfica-secure-significant-wins-in-european-qualifiers ### 2026-08-06: Benfica 6-1 over Hart as Salzburg beats Paphos 1-0 in Europa League play-offs Benfica beat Hart 6-1 with Pavlidis scoring twice, while Salzburg secured a 1-0 win over Paphos thanks to a late Tambakovits goal in Europa League play‑offs. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-6-1-over-hart-as-salzburg-beats-paphos-1-0-in-europa-league-play-offs ### 2026-08-01: Benfica set for Europa League clash with Hearts in Edinburgh Hearts, after a recent league loss, will face Benfica in the Europa League qualifiers, with matches on 6 Aug in Lisbon and 13 Aug in Edinburgh; Dutch referee Sander van der Eijk will oversee the second leg. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-set-for-europa-league-clash-with-hearts-in-edinburgh ### 2026-07-30: Benfica thrashes St. Gallen 5-0 as Jakub Kamiński assists Benfica beat FC Sankt Gallen 5‑0 in the Europa League, with Jakub Kamiński assisting and Clement Lenglet scoring, securing a third‑round spot. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jakub-kamiski-powers-benfica-to-5-0-europa-league-victory ### 2026-07-30: Benfica beats St. Gallen 5‑0 to reach Europa League third qualifying round Benfica defeated St Gallen 5‑0 on 30 July 2026, advancing 6‑2 on aggregate to the Europa League third qualifying round against Hearts; Pavlidis scored four goals and António Silva is set to join Bournemouth. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-defeats-st-gallen-5-0-to-clinch-europa-league-qualification ### 2026-07-29: Benfica debates lineup ahead of St. Gallen Europa League tie Benfica coach Marco Silva weighs starting Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup over €17 m signing Kaminski as the team prepares for the Europa League second‑leg against St. Gallen, with most World Cup‑absent e… 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-consider-replacing-kaminski-with-schjelderup-for-st-gallen-match ### 2026-07-28: Benfica clinches 5‑0 win over St Gallen to reach Europa League third round Benfica overturned a 2‑1 first‑leg loss, winning the second leg 5‑0 at Lisbon on 30 July 2026 to reach the Europa League third round against Hearts. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-seeks-europa-league-comeback-against-st-gallen-in-lisbon ### 2026-07-23: Benfica's season opening loss highlights need for patience Benfica lost to St. Gallen in the season opener, prompting Marco Silva to stress time and patience as the team integrates new signings. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benficas-season-opening-loss-highlights-need-for-patience ### 2026-07-23: Benfica suffers 2-1 defeat to St. Gallen in Europa League qualifier Benfica lost 2‑1 to St. Gallen in the Europa League qualifier, prompting harsh criticism from coach Marco Silva and calls for rapid improvement before the second leg. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-faces-st-gallen-in-europa-league-qualifying-match ### 2026-07-21: Benfica set for Europa League qualifying clash with St. Gallen Benfica face St. Gallen in a Europa League qualifier on 23 July; Marco Silva cites squad gaps, while St. Gallen coach sees an upset chance. Police warn of traffic in St. Gallen. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benficast-gallen-europa-league-match-prompts-traffic-alerts-in-switzerland ### 2026-07-17: Benfica beats Villarreal before Europa League clash with St Gallen Benfica beat Villarreal 2‑0 in a friendly, while St Gallen lost 3‑0 to Norwich and signed striker Andrin Hunziker, as both teams gear up for their Europa League tie. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benfica-beats-villarreal-before-europa-league-clash-with-st-gallen --- Cite as: Benfica and Portuguese clubs finalize European paths. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/benficast-gallen-europa-league-tie