Football · Lisbon and St. Gallen
Benfica hosts St. Gallen in Europa League qualifier trailing 2-1, with Marco Silva making his Estádio da Luz debut
Benfica enters the second leg of the Europa League second qualifying round against St. Gallen on Thursday evening at the Estádio da Luz, trailing 2-1 from the first match in Switzerland.
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In brief
Benfica lost the first leg in Switzerland 2-1 and must win at home on 30 July 2026 to advance in the Europa League qualifiers.
The match is Marco Silva's first home game as Benfica head coach, having succeeded José Mourinho less than a month ago.
Colombian forward Jhon Durán, on loan from Aston Villa, is eligible after missing the first leg due to registration timing.
The winner of the tie advances to face Hearts in the third qualifying round. The loser enters the Conference League third qualifying round against the winner of Sheriff Tiraspol vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, which Maccabi leads 5-0.
Benfica faces Swiss side St. Gallen on 30 July 2026 in the second leg of the Europa League second qualifying round, with kick-off set for 20:00 at the Estádio da Luz. The Portuguese club must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Switzerland to keep its Europa League campaign alive.
The stakes
The winner advances to the third qualifying round, where Scottish club Hearts awaits. The loser drops into the Conference League and will face the winner of the Sheriff Tiraspol versus Maccabi Tel Aviv tie, which the Israeli side currently leads 5-0. A subsequent playoff round then determines the final slots for the Europa League group phase.
Marco Silva's home debut
The match marks Marco Silva's first game at the Estádio da Luz since taking over as Benfica's head coach. Former Benfica striker Jonas, speaking to CNN Portugal, cautioned against harsh judgment if the team is eliminated, citing Silva's short tenure. "Desastroso não, pelo facto de o Marco Silva ter acabado de chegar. Não sei se já deu um mês desde que chegou. Mas o Benfica tem condições, sim, de passar esta eliminatória e chegar à fase de liga," Jonas said.
Jonas, now 42, also endorsed Silva's appointment as José Mourinho's successor, pointing to his long Premier League experience with Fulham. "Como benfiquista, gostei da opção de contratá-lo. Esteve muito tempo na Premier League e à frente de uma equipa que fazia bons jogos," he stated.
Squad update
Silva now has World Cup participants available for selection. Jhon Durán, the Colombian forward on loan from Aston Villa, is also eligible after missing the first leg because he was not registered in time. His availability adds an attacking option as Benfica seeks the goals needed to advance.
Broadcast
The match is being streamed free in Portugal via LiveMode TV.
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Sources and context
- Marco Silva
- Benfica head coach making his Estádio da Luz debut after succeeding José Mourinho
- Jonas
- Former Benfica striker, now 42, who commented on the match to CNN Portugal
- Jhon Durán
- Colombian forward on loan at Benfica from Aston Villa, available for the second leg
- José Mourinho
- Marco Silva's predecessor as Benfica head coach
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