Benfica make Portuguese history

SL Benfica ensured Portugal will have three teams in the UEFA Champions League for the first time after booking their group-stage place with a fine second-leg home win against FK Austria Wien in the third qualifying round.

Costa cracker
Benfica joined FC Porto and Sporting Clube de Portugal in Thursday's draw as Rui Costa marked his first match since returning to the Estádio da Luz with a goal before Nuno Gomes and Petit secured a 4-1 aggregate victory. Rui Costa registered with a thundering right-foot shot midway through the first half, before Nuno Gomes doubled the lead on the night just before the break. Greek international Konstantinos Katsouranis claimed possession in midfield and his header found Nuno Gomes on the move, with the striker easily beating Austria keeper Szabolcs Safar.

Safar shines
Although Austria had to score to progress, it was Benfica who dominated and Safar denied Nuno Gomes with a brilliant save before Petit also went close with a free-kick. Austria, who were without key midfielder Štěpán Vachoušek, had their first attempt after 56 minutes, but Benfica keeper Quim was able to block Roman Wallner's effort. The Austrian champions lost all hope of qualification a minute later when Rui Costa fed Manú and the winger eluded the offside trap to find himself alone in front of Safar. He opted to pass to Petit, who had the simplest of jobs tapping in.