Benfica Rally After Halftime to Down Omonia 4-1

An own goal by Nego was matched before the interval

Benfica took the lead in the 14th minute. Claudio Echeverri sent a header at goal from a cross, and Loic Nego got the final touch before the ball went over the line. UEFA credited the goal to Nego as an own goal.

Omonia levelled in the 42nd minute. Jayden Montnor ran forward on the left and delivered a cross to Andronikos Kakoullis, whose header found the net. The score stood at 1-1 at the interval, as Benfica’s passing lost some of its sharpness after a dominant start.

Pavlidis put Benfica back in front straight away

Benfica sped up their attacks once play resumed. Pavlidis tapped in from close range in the 49th minute after the goalkeeper failed to hold the first shot. That quick second-half strike gave Omonia little time to draw momentum from their equaliser.

Aursnes made it 3-1 in the 76th minute, taking advantage of a loss of possession by Leo Brouwers while the home side tried to build from the back. Benfica pressed the error and completed the move before Omonia could get organised again.

Prestianni scored from Lukebakio’s pass

Dodi Lukebakio fed Prestianni for the 85th-minute goal. The young forward finished with composure, giving Benfica their third win from three league-phase games.

Benfica are now on nine points and share the lead after three league-phase matches. This result was not down to squad depth alone. The visitors responded to a shaky spell before half-time, forced a costly mistake out of Brouwers and kept pushing after moving 3-1 ahead. Echeverri’s involvement in the first two goals and Lukebakio’s late assist showed that the support around Pavlidis stayed lively throughout. Omonia were in the contest before the break, but Benfica closed it down with a goal four minutes after the restart.