Analysis The numbers behind the result
Benfica dominate possession but efficiency proves decisive
Benfica's 3-1 victory was justified by their overwhelming control of possession (71%) and shot dominance (13 on target vs Aarhus' 1), though the early goals set the tone before the hosts could settle into a rhythm. Rafa Silva's 2nd-minute opener capitalized on fast transitions, while Leandro Barreiro's 31st-minute strike cemented territorial advantage — though Aarhus briefly threatened through Sebastian Jorgensen's 36th-minute reply before Pavlidis' penalty (45+2') restored the cushion.
The Portuguese side's 11 corners to Aarhus' 1 underscored their sustained pressure, though 11 blocked shots suggested profligacy in the final third. Aarhus' defensive disorganization was punished early, with all three Benfica goals coming in the first half — their sole shot on target (Jorgensen's goal) was a rare counter-punch. The decisive metric was shot differential: Benfica's 13 on-target attempts to Aarhus' lone effort made the outcome inevitable despite occasional lapses in concentration.