Benfica travel to Denmark on Thursday holding a two-goal advantage over Aarhus as they look to secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League league phase.
Marco Silva's side carry a 3-1 lead into the second leg of the play-off tie following their victory at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. First-half goals from Rafa in the second minute, Luxembourg midfielder Leandro Barreiro in the 31st minute, and Greek striker Pavlidis from a penalty in first-half stoppage time gave the Portuguese team control, despite a 36th-minute strike from Aarhus forward Sebastian Jorgensen. Benfica were clearly superior throughout the opening match, which could have yielded a larger margin of victory.
Reaching the Europa League main stage represents the primary objective of the season for Benfica, the 38-time Portuguese champions who missed out on UEFA Champions League football after finishing third in the Portuguese I Liga during the 2025/26 campaign under former manager José Mourinho. Qualification would see Benfica join fellow Portuguese side Torreense in the league phase. Torreense, who compete in Portugal's second-tier II Liga, earned direct entry into the tournament after winning the Taça de Portugal, the national cup competition.
First-leg advantage and domestic rest
Benfica enter the second leg with additional rest after their domestic I Liga fixture against Moreirense was postponed to September 9. In contrast, Aarhus remain winless in Danish championship play after four matches, recording three draws and one defeat following a 2-2 home draw against Odense on the eve of hosting the Portuguese club.
Aarhus achieved a historic milestone in the 2025/26 season by winning the Danish Superliga title, marking their first league championship in 40 years and the sixth top-flight crown in the club's history. However, the Danish champions are currently operating without their home ground while a new stadium is being built in Aarhus, forcing Thursday's fixture to take place 40 kilometres away at Cepheus Park in Randers.
Squad selection and potential debuts
Marco Silva is in his first months as Benfica head coach after returning to Portuguese football following a decade managing in England. The manager has already made notable selection changes, selecting young goalkeeper Samuel Soares ahead of Ukrainian international Anatoliy Trubin, who had previously established himself as Benfica's regular starting goalkeeper.
Thursday's match could also feature the debut of Australian international central defender Alessandro Circati, who recently joined Benfica as their newest defensive signing. The encounter is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 Portuguese time (20:00 local time in Denmark) and will be refereed by German official Daniel Siebert.
Club developments and handball success
Off the pitch, Benfica are finalizing further squad additions after midfielder João Palhinha passed his medical examinations. The Portuguese international midfielder is set to be officially presented as Benfica's newest reinforcement tomorrow.
In other club news, Benfica's women's handball team secured silverware by defeating Almeida Garrett to win their sixth Portuguese women's handball Super Cup, the Supertaça feminina de andebol.
