Benfica turn 1-1 interval into 4-1 Europa League win at Omonia

Benfica pull clear after second-half surge

Benfica beat Omonia Nicosia 4-1 in the UEFA Europa League League Stage - 3, turning a 1-1 half-time score into a convincing win at GSP Stadium.

Benfica took the lead in the 14th minute when Loïc Nego scored an own goal, making it 0-1. Omonia Nicosia responded before the interval: Andronikos Kakoullis levelled at 42 minutes, with Jaden Sean Montnor providing the assist for the 1-1 score.

The visitors regained control four minutes after the restart. Vangelis Pavlidis scored in the 49th minute to make it 1-2, before Fredrik Aursnes extended Benfica’s advantage at 76 minutes. Gianluca Prestianni completed the scoring in the 85th minute, assisted by Dodi Lukebakio, for 1-4.

Benfica’s control showed in the numbers

Benfica had 64% possession, completed 626 accurate passes and attempted 23 shots to Omonia’s seven. Their expected-goals figure was 3.25 against Omonia’s 0.91, although Omonia recorded five shots on goal and Benfica’s goalkeeper made seven saves.

Aursnes was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating after his goal and two key passes. Benfica also collected four yellow cards, including bookings for João Palhinha, Souffian El Karouani and Prestianni.

Benfica open a three-point gap

Benfica went into the game sixth on six points and now have nine points, provisionally sixth. Omonia remain on six points after three games, with Benfica three points ahead. The result adds to Benfica’s pre-match run, which began with a loss before a sequence containing wins and a draw.