Hearts’ dropping begin to the season prolonged to 4 matches because the Scottish Premiership facet equalled their file European defeat by being outclassed at two-time European Cup winners Benfica within the Europa League third qualifying spherical on the Estadio da Luz.
Rafa Silva slotted within the opener after 144 seconds from Leandro Barreiro’s move for the hosts, who deservedly doubled their lead 20 minutes later when Tomas Araujo headed in from a nook.
Benfica strike early on! 🔴
Rafa Silva takes simply two and half minutes to open the scoring in opposition to Hearts 😲 pic.twitter.com/fEP17mwpLh
— Premier Sports activities (@PremSportsTV) August 6, 2026
Vangelis Pavlidis added one other with a Forty second-minute penalty after Laurent Mendy introduced down Gianluca Prestianni and the Greece ahead had a aim disallowed earlier than half-time.
The Jam Tarts switched to a again three throughout the second half, just for Prestianni to capitalise on the guests repeatedly making a gift of possession by placing 14 minutes after the restart.
“I do not know what he is considering…” 🎙️
Vangelis Pavlidis converts from the spot after a Laurent Mendy foul 😬 pic.twitter.com/NqpNNZ0qjJ
— Premier Sports activities (@PremSportsTV) August 6, 2026
Tom Renaud swept in a reply with 18 minutes remaining and later shot in opposition to the crossbar, however Jhon Duran – who has joined Benfica on a season-long mortgage from Saudi Arabian facet Al-Nassr for round £5.2 million – completed contained in the field three minutes from time.
Winger Andreas Schjelderup added a penalty to place the Portuguese heavyweights getting ready to progressing.
Wouter Vrancken has now misplaced all of his aggressive matches since becoming Hearts manager in June, together with his staff conceding 12 objectives throughout three European video games.
Hearts’ largest earlier defeat in Europe was a 5-0 loss at residence to Tottenham within the 2011/12 Europa League.
One aim again for @JamTarts! 💜
Tom Renaud finishes nicely after a silky transfer from the guests 🔥 pic.twitter.com/60mB0JA0tu
— Premier Sports activities (@PremSportsTV) August 6, 2026
Hearts vs Benfica: When is the Europa League second leg?
The return recreation takes place at Tannadice Park subsequent Thursday. Listed below are the important thing particulars.
| Date | BST begin time | ET | PT |
| Thurs, Aug 13 | 19:45 | 14:45 | 11:45 |
Benfica full staff vs Hearts
Benfica made three alterations from their 5-0 residence win over Swiss facet St. Gallen in qualifying per week earlier, which secured a 6-2 combination victory.
Understudy Samuel Soares stepped in for goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, captain Araujo supplanted Antonio Silva following the defender’s change to Bournemouth and winger Prestianni began after serving a UEFA ban for a homophobic slur in direction of Actual Madrid ahead Vinicius Junior, rather than Jakub Kaminski.
Benfica beginning 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
Hearts confirmed line up vs Benfica
Hearts made two adjustments from their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen of their Scottish top-flight opener the earlier Saturday.
Forwards Pierre Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kzyiridis changed Amadou Ba-Sy and Sabah Kerjota.
Hearts beginning 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 motion at residence to Dundee United within the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (15:00).
