Hearts to face Benfica in Europa League qualifier
Vangelis Pavlidis (left) scored four goals against St Gallen
- Published
Hearts will face Benfica in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Following a 6-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in the Champions League second-round qualifier, Wouter Vrancken's side knew they would meet the Portuguese side or St Gallen, who led 2-1 after the first leg.
Marco Silva's side turned around that deficit against the Swiss thanks to a thumping 5-0 win in Lisbon, with Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis scoring four and former Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet wrapping up the victory.
Benfica finished third in Portugal's Primeira Liga last season behind Sporting and champions Porto and reached the knockout phase play-offs of the Champions League where they lost to Real Madrid.
If Hearts win the tie, they will be seeded in the play-off round, where their potential opponents in Monday's draw include Northern Irish champions Larne, Lillestrom, OFI Crete, Trabzonspor and Sint-Truiden, which would be a quick return to his former club for Tynecastle manager Wouter Vrancken.
Should Hearts lose, they will drop to the Conference League play-off round, where they will be unseeded.
Among their potential opponents would be Hearts investor Tony Bloom's Brighton & Hove Albion, Ajax, Anderlecht, Atalanta, Braga, Copenhagen, Gent, Midtjylland, Monaco, Panathinaikos, Qarabag and Rapid Vienna.
