Benfica took a step toward reaching the UEFA Europa League league phase after beating Danish side AGF Aarhus 3-1 in the first leg of their play-off tie at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Thursday.
First-half goals from Rafa, Leandro Barreiro and Vangelis Pavlidis built a commanding lead for the Portuguese side, who carry a two-goal advantage into next week's second leg in Denmark.
Benfica, standard competitors in European football based in Portugal's capital, are seeking entry to the newly expanded 36-team main stage of the Europa League. Aarhus, who play in the Danish Superliga, are aiming to overturn the deficit at home to advance in continental competition.
Rafa and Barreiro strike early for host side
The host team opened the scoring after just two minutes through Rafa. Barrenechea began the move by feeding Rafa, who played a backheel pass to Luxembourg midfielder Leandro Barreiro along the touchline. Alexander Bah delivered a low cross into the penalty area, where initial attempts and rebounds involving Pavlidis and Rafa ended with the Portuguese forward converting near the post.
Barreiro was shown the first yellow card of the match in the ninth minute after stepping on Aarhus player Arnstad. Benfica defender Tomás Araújo also received a booking in the 24th minute as the home side controlled possession.
Benfica doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Barreiro turned goalscorer. Ukrainian midfielder Heorhii Sudakov delivered a corner from the left flank, which was flicked on by headers from Araújo and Clement Lenglet. After Aarhus defender Colin Rösler blocked an initial attempt, Barreiro reacted at the far post to turn the ball into the net.
Aarhus respond before Pavlidis converts penalty
Aarhus halved the deficit in the 36th minute with their first shot on target through Sebastian Jørgensen. Bech created the opening by beating Araújo down the left wing and sending in a low cross. Following a miscleared ball by Lenglet, Mikael Anderson collected possession and set up Jørgensen, who curled a finished shot past the goalkeeper into the corner of the net.
Benfica restored their two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time at 45+2 minutes. Greek striker Pavlidis converted a penalty kick by striking a right-footed shot into the right side of the net, sending Aarhus goalkeeper Hedenstad the wrong way to make the score 3-1 at the interval.
Second-half tactical changes and late bookings
Neither side scored in a hard-fought second half marked by numerous substitutions from both coaches. Aarhus made a double change in the 57th minute, replacing goalscorer Jørgensen with Stefen Tchamche and taking off Rösler for Rasmus Carstensen.
Benfica made their first substitution in the 66th minute, replacing goalscorer Barreiro with Richard Ríos. The home team made two further changes in the 72nd minute, replacing Gianluca Prestianni with Andreas Schjelderup and bringing on J. Durán for Pavlidis.
Aarhus responded in the 73rd minute with two swaps of their own, replacing Magnus Knudsen with Jens Jønsson and taking off Frederik Emmery for Gift Links. The visitor completed another change in the 81st minute, taking off James Bogere for Anderson.
Booking discipline returned in the 83rd minute when referee action resulted in a yellow card for Aarhus substitute Tchamche.
Benfica closed out the match with a double substitution in the 84th minute, taking off Rafa for Kaminski and replacing Fredrik Aursnes with Sudakov.
Decisive return leg ahead in Denmark
The second leg of the Europa League play-off tie will take place next Thursday in Denmark, where Aarhus will host Benfica needing to overcome the 3-1 deficit to reach the league phase.
