In the second half Enzo Fernandez’s close-range effort was saved by Dynamo goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan as Benfica wrapped up a convincing 5-0 aggregate win.Įlsewhere, Milan Pavkov’s 90th minute own goal secured Maccabi Haifa’s spot as they beat Red Star Belgrade 5-4 over two legs. Rafa Silva netted next for the Portuguese side and Brazilian forward Neres swept the ball into the net after a flowing move before halftime. The Dynamo players, who begin their league campaign on Sunday, took to the pitch at the Estadio da Luz draped in the Ukrainian flag in a message of support to their compatriots back home.ĭynamo were already trailing 2-0 from the first leg and they were always on the back foot against last season’s quarterfinalists.įormer Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi’s emphatic header put Benfica ahead on the night in the 27th minute in front of a crowd of more than 58,000 from a Neres cross. I’m happy because we deserve it,” he added.ĭomestic top-flight football, which had been suspended since Russia’s invasion in February and during the ongoing war, returned to Ukraine earlier on Tuesday. “Let’s wait for the draw and then we’ll see. Now we are happy to be in the Champions League,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said. “From the first second we wanted to win and showed it. The two-time European champions from Portugal will be in the draw on Thursday while Dynamo will be in the Europa League. PARIS: Benfica cruised into the group stage of the Champions League after overrunning Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday thanks to David Neres’ assist and goal.