Hearts losing start to the season extended to four matches as the Scottish Premiership side equalled their record European defeat by being outclassed at two-time European Cup winners Benfica in the Europa League third qualifying round at the Estadio da Luz. Rafa Silva slotted in the opener after 144 seconds from Leandro Barreiros pass for the hosts, who deservedly doubled their lead 20 minutes later when Tomas Araujo headed in from a corner. Vangelis Pavlidis added another with a 42nd-minute penalty after Laurent Mendy brought down Gianluca Prestianni and the Greece forward had a goal disallowed before half-time.The Jam Tarts switched to a back three during the second half, only for Prestianni to capitalise on the visitors repeatedly giving away possession by striking 14 minutes after the restart. Tom Renaud swept in a reply with 18 minutes remaining and later shot against the crossbar, but Jhon Duran who has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for around �5.2 million finished inside the box three minutes from time.Winger Andreas Schjelderup added a penalty to put the Portuguese heavyweights on the brink of progressing.Wouter Vrancken has now lost all of his competitive matches since becoming Hearts manager in June, with his team conceding 12 goals across three European games.Hearts largest previous defeat in Europe was a 5-0 loss at home to Tottenham in the 2011/12 Europa League. Table of ContentsHearts vs Benfica: When is the Europa League second leg?Benfica full team vs HeartsHearts confirmed line up vs BenficaHearts Scottish Premiership fixtures, scheduleHearts vs Benfica: When is the Europa League second leg?The return game takes place at Tannadice Park next Thursday. Here are the key details.DateBST start timeETPTThurs, Aug 1319:4514:4511:45Benfica full team vs HeartsBenfica made three alterations from their 5-0 home win over Swiss side St. Gallen in qualifying a week earlier, which secured a 6-2 aggregate victory.Understudy Samuel Soares stepped in for goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, captain Araujo supplanted Antonio Silva following the defenders switch to Bournemouth and winger Prestianni started after serving a UEFA ban for a homophobic slur towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, in place of Jakub Kaminski.Benfica starting XI: Samuel Soares, Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Dahl, Rafa, Leandro Barreiro, Heorhii Sudakov, Enzo Barrenechea, Gianluca Prestianni, Vangelis PavlidisBenfica substitutes: Anatoliy Trubin, Dodi Lukebakio, Jakub Kaminski, Manu Silva, Amar Dedic, Richard Rios, Andreas Schjelderup, Jhon Duran, Gabriel Indio, Jose Neto, Anisio Cabral, Miguel FigueiredoHearts confirmed line up vs BenficaHearts made two changes from their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen in their Scottish top-flight opener the previous Saturday.Forwards Pierre Landry Kabore and Alexandros Kzyiridis replaced Amadou Ba-Sy and Sabah Kerjota.Hearts starting XI: Beau Reus, Jordi Altena, Oisin McEntee, Stuart Findlay, Harry Milne, Calvin Miller, Blair Spittal, Laurent Mendy, Alexandros Kyziridis, Pierre Landry Kabore, Claudio BragaHearts 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-SyHearts Scottish Premiership fixtures, scheduleHearts return to action at home to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (15:00). Topics Europa League Heart of Midlothian F.C. S.L. Benfica Scottish Premiership Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 Rangers: Report and result from Europa League Ben Miller 6th August, 2026 Dundee United 1-1 Rangers: Report, result, goals as Rose and Aasgaard score in Scottish Premiership draw Ben Miller 1st August, 2026 Hearts 0-2 Sturm Graz (0-6 agg): Scottish runners-up fall into Europa League qualifying Mitch Fretton 28th July, 2026 Benfica close in on team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo who has flopped in Saudi Arabia Jon Fisher 17th July, 2026 Benfica confirm Mourinho to leave for Real Madrid with ex-Fulham boss Silva hired as replacement Cian Cheesbrough 9th June, 2026 Benfica on verge of naming Marco Silva as Jose Mourinhos replacement in major blow for Fulham Jon Fisher 2nd June, 2026
