EL Qual: St. Gallen vs Benfica 23/07/2026

Benfica head into this two-legged tie as clear favorites, and thanks to their significantly superior individual quality, they are expected to take a major step toward the next round already in the first leg.

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After finishing as runners-up in the Swiss Super League last season, St. Gallen secured a place in the Europa League qualifiers. However, the draw was far from favorable, as they were paired with two-time European champions Benfica in the second qualifying round.

Following a disappointing campaign that saw them finish third in the Portuguese league, Benfica enter the new season with high ambitions. Experienced Portuguese manager Marco Silva has taken charge of the Lisbon giants, returning to his homeland after a successful spell in the Premier League with the objective of restoring Benfica to the top of Portuguese football. To support those ambitions, the club invested more than €50 million in new signings during the summer transfer window. The standout arrival is Colombian striker Jhon Durán, who will be looking to revive his career while adding significant firepower to Benfica’s attack.

As for the tie itself, it is difficult to find any convincing argument that gives St. Gallen a realistic chance of causing an upset. Neither the Swiss nor the Portuguese side has begun its domestic league campaign yet, meaning current form can only be assessed through pre-season friendlies. In that regard, St. Gallen have struggled, conceding nine goals across matches against Lyon and Norwich, which hardly inspires confidence ahead of a clash with a far stronger opponent. Although Benfica are not yet at full competitive sharpness either, the gap in individual quality is substantial, and the Portuguese giants are expected to take firm control of the tie with a convincing first-leg victory.