Benfica 6-1 Hearts: Sudakov's Assist Helps Spark Rout

Benfica began the third qualifying round of the Europa League in emphatic style, with the Eagles thrashing Scottish side Hearts 6-1 at home in the first leg. The hosts took the lead after three minutes through Rafa Silva. Tomás Araújo doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute, finishing after a pass from Ukrainian midfielder Georgiy Sudakov. That assist was Sudakov's first goal involvement since mid-January, when he set up a goal in Benfica's 2-0 Portuguese league win over Rio Ave. Evangelos Pavlidis made it 3-0 before half-time. After the break, Benfica added three more, with Gianluca Prestianni, Jhon Duran and Andreas Schjelderup - who converted a penalty - all getting on the scoresheet. Tom Reno scored the only goal for Hearts. Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin spent the whole match on the bench.