After dominating Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday, Benfica strolled into the Champions League group stage with the help of a goal and an assist from David Neres.
On Thursday, the two-time European champions from Portugal will be in the draw, while Dynamo will be playing in the Europa League.
“Immediately at the first whistle, it was clear that we came to play for the win. We’re ecstatic to finally be playing in the Champions League “According to Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt.
“Let’s see who gets drawn. This is something that is never simple. That’s why I’m so ecstatic: “Then he made an addition.
Earlier on Tuesday, domestic top-flight football in Ukraine resumed after being halted since Russia’s invasion in February and amid the continuing war.
On Sunday, the Dynamo kicked off their league season at the Estadio da Luz while draped in the Ukrainian flag as a show of solidarity with their countrymen.
Against last year’s quarter-finalists, Dynamo were always playing from behind, and they were already down 2-0 after the first leg.
In front of over 58,000 fans, former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi scored the game-winning goal for Benfica after a Neres pass in the 27th minute.
After a goal by Portugal’s Rafa Silva, Brazil’s Neres finished a flowing move by sweeping the ball into the net just before halftime.
Goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan made a diving stop in the second half to keep Benfica’s 5-0 aggregate triumph from becoming even more lopsided. The goal was created by Enzo Fernandez from close range.
Maccabi Haifa advanced after beating Red Star Belgrade 5-4 over two legs, thanks to an own goal scored by Milan Pavkov in the 90th minute.
Viktoria Plzen advanced to the draw thanks to a goal by Jan Kliment in the 73rd minute, giving them a 2-1 victory over Azeris Qarabag on aggregate.
On Wednesday, Bodo/Glimt travel to Dinamo Zagreb with a 1-0 lead, Copenhagen travels to Trabzonspor with a 2-1 lead, and two-time champions PSV Eindhoven hosts Rangers with the score tied at two.