Tomas Magnusson put Hearts in front with a powerful strikeImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Tomas Magnusson put Hearts in front with a powerful strike

At a glance

  • Hearts deny Benfica an opener after a glut of first-half chances

  • Magnusson gives Hearts deserved lead after interval from long range

  • Visitors level almost instantly through Lukebakio

  • Vrancken's side will face Rapid Vienna in Conference League play-off

ByAlasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

Hearts' inevitable Europa League exit was confirmed, but pride was recovered in a well-deserved second-leg draw at home to Benfica.

Tomas Bent Magnusson struck a thunderous opening goal past Samuel Soares to reward Hearts for a much more expansive second-half display.

But the Hearts fans had barely sat back on their seats before Benfica levelled, Dodi Lukebakio firing past Beau Reus from inside the area.

It means Hearts will play Rapid Vienna in the Conference League play-offs, knowing a performance like this will stand them in good stead to progress.

Wouter Vrancken's side showed admirable but contrasting qualities in either half, spending much of the first period trying to keep their illustrious opponents at bay, defending their box doughtily.

But the second half was a different story altogether, with Hearts deservedly breaking the deadlock when Magnusson, not long on as a substitute, lashed an unstoppable first-time left-foot shot in from outside the box.

Their joy was shortlived as Benfica finally found their finishing touch, Lukebakio giving Reus no chance with a well-taken finish.

Hearts played some excellent football after the interval and thought they had the lead earlier after superb work by Claudio Braga and Josh McPake to allow Calvin Miller to slot home, only for VAR to rule it out for an offside against McPake.

A draw was arguably a fair outcome on the night, with Benfica controlling the first half without possessing last week's clinical edge, with an Amar Dedic header deflected onto the frame of the goal the closest they came in that spell.

Plenty of positives for Vrancken - analysis

It seems odd to be feeling positive after a 7-2 aggregate defeat, but Hearts have much to be pleased about after their second-leg showing.

They looked well organised and hard working when required to be by a supremely gifted Benfica side, whose quick, slick passing would have destroyed a less switched-on team.

But Vrancken must have asked his men to take a few more chances in the second half because the handbrake seemed to come off.

When it did, they looked impressive. Miller and McPake threatened on either wing, Tom Renaud worked his socks off and also played some clever passes in midfield while Braga was his usual combination of non-stop effort and deft touches.

Vrancken has said from the first game against Sturm Graz that he has seen promising signs and on this evidence it is difficult to disagree.

What Vrancken said

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "I think the performance was excellent today against a side with a lot of millions on the pitch. Maybe it's a pity that we drew because we could win the game also, but when you see the overall performance, it's amazing to see.

"That's what we want to see, without taking stupid risks, but trying to play football and trying to use the spaces there are.

"It has to give confidence because we're realistic in the result of course after last week, but the aim was also to show yourselves here and to show who we are and to get confidence out of the performance. I think we succeeded in that."

What's next?

Hearts host Inverness Caley Thistle on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup second round (14:00 BST) before welcoming Rapid Vienna to Tynecastle next Thursday in the first leg of the Conference League play-off.

Player of the match

Number: 7 C. Miller
Average rating 8.57
Number: 7 C. Miller
Average Rating: 8.57
Number: 23 J. Altena
Average Rating: 8.24
Number: 22 T. Magnússon
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Number: 12 T. Renaud
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Number: 15 J. McPake
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Number: 10 Cláudio Braga
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Number: 19 S. Guendouz
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Number: 6 O. McEntee
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Number: 16 B. Spittal
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Number: 5 J. McCart
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Number: 1 B. Reus
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Number: 17 S. Findlay
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Number: 29 S. Kerjota
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Number: 21 J. Wilson
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Number: 24 M. Kamson-Kamara
Average Rating: 6.56
Number: 11 P. Kaboré
Average Rating: 6.53

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