G. Prestianni’s brace sends Benfica past Aarhus 3-1

Benfica take control before half-time

Benfica defeated Aarhus 3-1 at Cepheus Park Randers in the UEFA Europa League play-offs on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The result confirmed Benfica as the winner, with the visitors leading 1-0 at half-time before adding two more goals after the interval. Aarhus scored once but could not complete a comeback.

Playing in a 4-1-3-2 formation under Marco Silva, Benfica made the decisive breakthrough in the 19th minute. G. Prestianni finished a move assisted by A. Bah, giving the visitors an early advantage. Aarhus, set up in Jakob Poulsen’s 3-5-2, remained within reach at the break, but Benfica had established the lead that shaped the remainder of the match.

Benfica extend their advantage after the interval

The second half began with Aarhus introducing S. Tchamche for J. Serra in the 46th minute, but Benfica soon increased the pressure. Rafa Silva scored in the 55th minute to make it 2-0, putting Benfica in a commanding position.

Aarhus responded quickly. R. Carstensen pulled a goal back in the 60th minute, reducing the deficit to one and briefly giving the home side renewed momentum. However, Benfica answered almost immediately. Prestianni scored again in the 61st minute, this time with C. Lenglet providing the assist, restoring the two-goal advantage and completing a standout individual contribution.

Aarhus made two further changes in the 62nd minute, with M. Knudsen replacing K. Arnstad and S. Jorgensen coming on for M. Anderson. Benfica later replaced G. Sudakov with G. Moreira and Rafa Silva with A. Schjelderup in the 65th minute. Aarhus made one final listed change in the 69th minute, as C. Rosler replaced L. Callo, but the score remained unchanged.

Discipline and effect on form

Aarhus collected two yellow cards. M. Camara was booked in the 25th minute, while Carstensen received a caution in the 45th minute, shortly before later scoring for his team. Benfica did not have a card listed in the match events.

The victory gives Benfica a positive result after their listed recent form of loss, win, win, draw and win, most recent first. Aarhus entered the match following a loss and now have another defeat recorded. No standings data is available for either team, so the direct effect on their league positions cannot be established from the supplied information. Benfica’s three goals, particularly Prestianni’s brace and Rafa Silva’s second-half strike, ultimately separated the teams.