Benfica marked their UEFA Europa League meeting with Lech Poznan with a composed 3-1 victory at the Estádio da Luz, combining patient build-up with a ruthless second-half burst to take all three points. Vangelis Pavlidis, João Mário and Andreas Schjelderup found the net for the Portuguese giants, while Mikael Ishak’s second-half strike briefly gave Lech Poznan hope of an unlikely comeback.

Benfica 3-1 Lech Poznan: Hosts control the occasion

From the opening exchanges, Benfica looked the more settled side. The hosts circulated the ball with purpose, pushed their full-backs high and repeatedly worked overloads on the flanks. Lech Poznan defended in a compact block and looked to spring forward on the counter, but the Portuguese side’s control of midfield meant clear chances were rare for the visitors in the early stages.

The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when Benfica turned possession into a quick attacking sequence. A measured pass into the penalty area found Pavlidis, whose movement across the near post created just enough space for a confident finish. The goal gave the home crowd the lift they expected and forced Lech to abandon some of their early caution.

Key moments that shaped the match

• 18’ – Benfica 1-0: Vangelis Pavlidis opens the scoring with a sharp near-post finish after a flowing move.
• 54’ – Benfica 2-0: João Mário converts from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area.
• 63’ – Benfica 2-1: Mikael Ishak pulls one back for Lech Poznan with a composed finish on the counter.
• 78’ – Benfica 3-1: Andreas Schjelderup restores the two-goal cushion with a low strike after cutting in from the left.

The penalty early in the second half was the decisive moment. Lech had survived until the interval with only a one-goal deficit, but the concession of a spot-kick forced them to chase the game. João Mário’s calm conversion gave Benfica breathing room and changed the emotional momentum of the contest.

Tactical story: control versus counterattack

Benfica’s approach was built on controlling the ball in central areas before accelerating into wide zones. Their midfield rotated well, drawing Lech’s pressing line forward and creating space behind it. The home side’s full-backs were particularly influential, offering width and allowing the forwards to drift inside.

Lech Poznan’s best moments came when they won the ball in transition. Ishak’s goal was a reminder of their threat, with a direct run and a cool finish reducing the deficit to 2-1. For a short period after that goal, the visitors enjoyed their most confident spell of the match. Benfica, however, responded with composure rather than panic, and Schjelderup’s late goal sealed the result.

Standout players

Pavlidis was a constant reference point in attack, linking play and occupying both centre-backs. João Mário’s penalty was important, but his overall game management helped Benfica keep the tempo in their favour. Schjelderup added directness and invention from the left, and his goal was a reward for a lively second-half display.

For Lech Poznan, Ishak was the brightest performer. His goal was taken with real quality, and his movement gave Benfica’s defence something to think about even when the visitors were under pressure. The goalkeeper also made several saves that kept the scoreline respectable.

What the result means

The victory strengthens Benfica’s position in the UEFA Europa League league-phase table and gives them valuable momentum. A 3-1 home win is exactly the kind of result that builds confidence ahead of the remaining fixtures. For Lech Poznan, the performance had encouraging spells, but the defeat leaves them with work to do as they look to climb the standings.

The full-time scoreline reads Benfica 3-1 Lech Poznan, a result that reflects the hosts’ greater control and superior finishing. Benfica will take the points and the performance; Lech will take lessons from a night when they competed but were ultimately beaten by the sharper side.