Blair Spittal cuts a dejected figure after another Benfica goalSNS

Hearts have started the season with four defeats, conceding 14 and scoring twice

At a glance

  • Six-goal Benfica cruise past Hearts, who score late consolation goal

  • Gorgie side now likely to face either Rapid Vienna or Paide Linnameeskond in the Conference League play-off

  • Wouter Vrancken remains without a win as Hearts head coach as he loses opening four games in charge

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts were outclassed by Portuguese giants Benfica as the Tynecastle side fell to their joint-heaviest European defeat in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.

Three of Benfica's six goals in Lisbon were gift-wrapped by Wouter Vrancken's men, who conceded after only two minutes on a night that threatens to leave psychological scars.

No one was expecting an upset, but the ease with which Benfica cut Hearts apart at times in the first half left even the neutral wincing at such a mismatch.

Veteran Rafa Silva got the scoring started, latching on to Leandro Barreiro's cutback to tap in the opener and show Hearts the quality they were up against.

The second was similar to some of the goals Hearts conceded away to Sturm Graz in their Champions League qualifying humbling two weeks ago.

A corner was whipped in and, all too easily, captain Tomas Araujo was allowed to beat Blair Spittal in the air and nod home.

Hearts rallied a little, but the exertions of chasing the game told quickly as Laurent Mendy pulled down GIanluca Prestianni to concede the cheapest of penalties.

Vangelis Pavlidis drilled the spot-kick down the middle and Hearts were 3-0 behind at half-time.

There were little moments for Hearts, though. Mendy hit the bar with a header after brilliant work from Calvin Miller on the right. Spittal fizzed a free-kick just wide, and there would even be a goal to remember for Tom Renaud.

But first, Hearts gave the ball away on the edge of the box and Prestianni punished them, curling in the fourth.

Job done for Benfica, passage effectively secured, and foot taken off the gas. That allowed Hearts to play, and play they did.

In a lovely Hearts move, the ball was slipped to Renaud and he arrowed into the bottom corner to send the away fans into the night with something to remember.

As the game was winding to a close, Benfica fired off another few reminders of the gulf between the sides, stealing possession to allow former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran to lash home a fifth.

And with the last kick Norwegian midfielder Andreas Schjelderup scored from the spot, after Oisin McEntee handled in the box, to equal the margin of Hearts' 5-0 European defeat to Tottenham 15 years ago.

Analysis: Hearts hit for six in brutal examination of Vrancken's credentials

While it is hard to judge Hearts too critically for losing a game they were widely expected to lose, it is fair to say the defeat could still be damaging.

Physically, the players will be sapped. They chased shadows for at least an hour of the game, and expended plenty of energy doing it.

Mentally, who knows the effect it could take. After Rangers' 6-0 humiliation to Club Brugge last season, they struggled to find their feet under Russell Martin and the away European games were particularly bruising.

Is there a parallel to be drawn with head coach Vrancken? A man who stuck to his guns by naming an attacking-looking 4-4-2 formation against a seasoned Champions League outfit.

Or was his hand forced by injuries, with defenders Stephen Kingsley, Craig Halkett, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Christian Borchgrevink all ruled out?

A momentum graphic displaying Benfica's dominanceOpta

The data shows Hearts enjoyed a few spikes in momentum

Either way, 3-0 down at half-time he changed it and Hearts looked markedly improved with three at the back. However, they would still lose the second half 3-1.

The fluidity and movement of the Benfica players made Hearts look silly at times, and the gaps in midfield only made it easier for the Eagles to really strut their stuff.

Twenty four shots across the game for Benfica, 11 of them on target. It felt relentless at times.

But just like in the defeats to Sturm Graz, and the inexcusable collapse against Aberdeen, there were moments that should excite Hearts fans.

Mendy looked good before his brainless penalty concession. Miller and James McPake both excited on the flank. And, of course, there was Renaud's goal, which was worth the price of the travel for the supporters who made the trip.

No one expected anything from this game, but they expect a reaction on Sunday against Dundee United. That game is a must win now, after Vrancken's first four ended in defeat.

What Vrancken said

Poor first half cost Hearts - Vrancken

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "Not a good enough first half on the ball. We didn't stick to the gameplan and out of possession, we were following the guys and man-marking, taking us out of position.

"Second half was much better, and then we saw Benfica also left spaces and we could play football. The goal was nice, that the players felt more and more confident.

"We wanted to go for 4-2 or 4-3 but when you are too open in these moments, they kill you. And it was sad that we give away two stupid penalties away. When you want to do well against Benfica, you can't do that."

What next?

That crucial Scottish Premiership home game against Dundee United on Sunday (15:00 BST) precedes Benfica's visit to Tynecastle next Thursday (19:45).