Benfica defeated Lech Poznan 3-1 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Thursday, goals from Rafa Silva, Gianluca Prestianni and Georgiy Sudakov against Leo Bengtsson’s reply for the Polish side, in a fourth league-phase match of the UEFA Europa League, RTP reported. The win leaves Benfica level on 12 points at the top of the standings with Bournemouth and Ferencvaros, while Lech Poznan sit 35th, second from bottom, with one point.
Rafa’s sixth-minute goal set the tone at the Luz
Benfica went into the match intent on winning and did not wait long to open the scoring. In the sixth minute, Rafa Silva capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Polish side to make it 1-0, RTP reported. The early goal gave Marco Silva’s side control of the game’s rhythm and possession for much of the first half against a Lech Poznan side that sat deeper and looked to hit on the counter.
Maisfutebol described a first half in which Benfica totally dictated the rhythm, alternating spells of patient passing with bursts of acceleration, and noted that Lech soon understood only home-team errors would let them leave the Luz with at least a point.
Prestianni’s 67th-minute finish and Bengtsson’s 72nd-minute reply
Benfica pushed to extend their lead in the second half, and the second goal arrived in the 67th minute when the young Argentine Gianluca Prestianni finished an excellent individual move with a placed shot, RTP reported.
🚨🏆 | GOAL: RAFA SILVA OPENS THE SCORING FOR BENFICA! Bnefica 1-0 Lech Poznan. pic.twitter.com/vwx0jjgyM7
In the 72nd minute, Bengtsson cut the deficit to 2-1 after Argentine defender Enzo Barrenechea — back in competition almost two months later — gave the ball away in Benfica’s box, RTP reported. Maisfutebol described the conceded goal as one the flow of the match had made look improbable, and noted that Marco Silva had already replaced Tomás Araújo with João Palhinha in central defense.
Sudakov’s 90th-minute goal sealed a seventh straight win
The goal that restored comfort came in the 90th minute through Sudakov, RTP reported. Maisfutebol said the strike finally calmed the Luz on a night that was “not as tranquil as it should have been,” but delivered Benfica’s seventh consecutive victory and three goals, matching the team’s 2026/27 average of three goals a match.
Nine changes, and Silva’s explanation for the rotation
Marco Silva made nine changes to the lineup from the previous match, with only Tomás Araújo and Andreas Schjelderup retaining starting spots, Maisfutebol reported. Ahead of the game at the Estádio da Luz, Silva told Record that this was the week with the densest schedule, with matches from Monday to Sunday, and that keeping the team fresh mattered with Sunday’s game in mind.
On the defensive side, Silva told Record that solidity was fundamental: “Not always will we score 3 or 4 goals. Even if it’s difficult, if we don’t concede, we end up winning.” He said the objective was for the team to be more solid and prepared to defend and be competent without the ball. On the rotation in central defense, he said the three most-used center-backs had been rotated and that António Circati was growing and performing well.
Silva also addressed Lech Poznan’s approach, telling Record that the Polish side is used to dominating in its own league and takes risks, which would pose different problems, and that their coach had said an excellent result at the Luz would be excellent — motivation that was visible.
What the 12 points mean for both clubs
For Benfica, the result extends their lead at the summit of the Europa League phase, with RTP reporting 12 points shared with Bournemouth and Ferencvaros. For Lech Poznan, the defeat leaves them 35th and second from last with a single point, deepening their struggle in the competition.
GOL | Benfica 1-0 Lech Poznan 6' Rafa Silva
Goal scorers and league standings revealed
Who scored for Benfica against Lech Poznan? Rafa Silva in the sixth minute, Gianluca Prestianni in the 67th and Georgiy Sudakov in the 90th, with Leo Bengtsson scoring Lech’s goal in the 72nd, RTP reported.
Where does Benfica stand in the Europa League after the win? Benfica top the league-phase table with 12 points, level with Bournemouth and Ferencvaros, while Lech Poznan are 35th with one point, according to RTP.
GOLOOOO RAFA! SL Benfica 1-0 KKS Lech Poznań pic.twitter.com/aMZKy63wc4
Marco Silva made nine changes against Lech Poznan during a congested week and described the match as fundamental. He told Record it was the densest week of the schedule, with games from Monday to Sunday, and that keeping players fresh mattered ahead of Sunday’s match.
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