Benfica Defeat Austria Wien 3-1 to Re-Enter Champions League Top 12

Benfica returned to winning ways in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday defeating Austria Wien 3–1 at the Estádio da Luz to re-enter the top 12 of the league phase.

The victory lifts the Portuguese side to six points after four matches, rebounding from defeats against Arsenal and Bayern Munich while maintaining their ambition to reach the knockout phase.

The fixture marked Benfica’s 50th appearance in the competition. Head coach Ivan Baptista noted the physical intensity of the Austrian visitors during a demanding stretch of the club’s schedule.

“Foi uma vitória importantíssima para as nossas ambições,” Ivan Baptista said, according to TVI. “Fica muito difícil quando o adversário tem este tipo de comportamento em jogo, com as suas jogadoras extremamente agressivas, fortes no duelo. Isso torna o jogo caótico, muito partido.”

The hosts opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes when Andreia Norton finished off a team move involving Nycole Raysla, as reported by Sport Lisboa e Benfica. The early breakthrough provided an ideal start for the home side.

Austria Wien responded by applying persistent pressure through the remainder of the first half. Goalkeeper Lena Pauels, making her 100th appearance for Benfica, made several stops to preserve the narrow advantage before the interval.

The visitors equalized eight minutes into the second half. Pauels conceded a penalty after a challenge on Valentina Potzl, and captain Carina Wenninger converted from the spot in the 53rd minute to level the score at 1–1.

The match remained open until the 73rd minute when Austria Wien goalkeeper Jasmin Pal was shown a straight red card for a rushing clearance outside her area. A Bola said that the visiting goalkeeper did not protest the referee’s decision.

Benfica capitalized immediately on their numerical advantage from the ensuing set piece. Norton flicked on a corner kick, and Caroline Møller directed the ball home in the 76th minute to restore the lead at 2–1.

Nycole Raysla added a third goal in stoppage time, finishing an assist from Møller in the 93rd minute to seal the final scoreline. Record confirmed the matchday squads and substitutes deployed by both coaching staffs.

With six points on the board, Benfica stands alongside other Portuguese clubs competing in European fixtures. Baptista discussed what it means to represent the nation in continental competition.

“Mais importante que falar no ano passado é falar que, por exemplo, hoje o Benfica conseguiu chegar aos seis pontos na fase de liga da Liga dos Campeões,” Baptista told TVI. “É de longe a equipa portuguesa com mais presenças na Liga dos Campeões e mais uma vez elevou bem alto o nome de Portugal nas competições europeias.”

Benfica returns to domestic action against Aldeia Nova in the Taça de Portugal before hosting AS Roma on Thursday in their next European fixture.

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