Analysis The numbers behind the result
Benfica overwhelm Hearts with clinical efficiency
Benfica's 6-1 victory fully reflected their dominance, with the Portuguese side converting their superiority into chances and goals. Holding 67% possession, they created 11 shots on target compared to Hearts' mere 2, underlining their control. Rafa Silva's early opener (3') set the tone, swiftly followed by T. Araujo's strike (23') and V. Pavlidis' penalty (42'), ensuring Benfica were firmly in command by half-time. G. Prestianni (59'), J. Duran (87'), and A. Schjelderup's late penalty (90+4') capped off a ruthless display.
Hearts struggled to match Benfica's intensity, with T. Renaud's 72nd-minute goal a rare highlight. Despite matching Benfica's foul count (12), Hearts conceded 4 yellow cards to Benfica's 2, further disrupting their rhythm. Benfica's 6 corners to Hearts' 2 also showcased their attacking threat, while their 8 shots off goal and 5 blocked attempts highlighted their relentless pressure. The decisive stat? Benfica's 11 shots on target to Hearts' 2 — a clear indicator of their clinical edge and superiority on the night.