Omonia Nicosia 1-4 Benfica: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How Benfica won it

The opening goal came in the 14th minute: an own goal by Loïc Nego for Benfica. Omonia Nicosia levelled at 1-1 in the 42nd minute through Andronikos Kakoullis, set up by Jaden Montnor. Vangelis Pavlidis made it 1-2 to Benfica in the 49th minute, set up by Alexander Bah. Fredrik Aursnes made it 1-3 to Benfica in the 76th minute. Gianluca Prestianni made it 1-4 to Benfica in the 85th minute, set up by Dodi Lukébakio.

It was 1-1 at half-time, and the second half changed the result.

The referee, J. Vergoote, showed 5 yellow cards: 1 to Omonia Nicosia and 4 to Benfica.

Omonia Nicosia: H. Berg, 4-4-2 · Benfica: M. Saraiva Da Silva, 4-2-3-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

The prediction was right. Moneyball's pick on the Match Board was Benfica -1.25, and on 1-4 it was right.

The estimate's most likely result was a Benfica win at 65%, and that is what happened. Its single most likely score was 0-2 (11%).

The match had far more goals than expected: the estimate was about 3.1 goals and there were 5.

Over 2.5 goals had been put at 60%; with 5 goals the over came in, as the estimate leaned.

Both teams to score was 54%; both did, in line with the estimate.

The pre-match consensus had a Benfica win at 66%, the same lean as Moneyball.

Computed before kick-off from both sides' season goals and expected goals as of 2026-10-22, through a Dixon-Coles score model, and left as it was.

Why it went this way

Omonia Nicosia had 5 shots on target, Benfica 10.

Omonia Nicosia's goalkeeper made 7 saves.

Benfica had 64% of the ball and turned it into the win.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Omonia Nicosia came into it with 4 Europa League matches played, scoring 1.5 and conceding 1.8 a match, with 0.81 expected goals for and – against, and had won 50% of their matches.

Benfica came into it with 4 Europa League matches played, scoring 3.3 and conceding 0.8 a match, with 2.21 expected goals for and – against, and had won 100% of their matches.

Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica), rated 7.8 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal.

Omonia Nicosia

• Fabiano 7.5
• Jaden Montnor 7.3 1 assist
• Panagiotis Andreou 7.1
• Andronikos Kakoullis 7.0 1 goal
• Mateo Maric 7.0

Benfica

• Vangelis Pavlidis 7.8 1 goal
• Fredrik Aursnes 7.8 1 goal
• Souffian El 7.8
• Gianluca Prestianni 7.6 1 goal
• Dodi Lukébakio 7.4 1 assist

The lowest-rated starter was Jure Balkovec at 5.8. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Omonia Nicosia: Juventus vs Omonia Nicosia Thursday 26 November 2026 · Europa League
• Benfica: Viktoria Plzeň vs Benfica Thursday 26 November 2026 · Europa League

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica

What was the score in Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica?

Omonia Nicosia 1-4 Benfica (half-time 1-1), Europa League, Thursday 22 October 2026.

Who scored in Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica?

Andronikos Kakoullis 42', Vangelis Pavlidis 49', Fredrik Aursnes 76', Gianluca Prestianni 85'.

Did Moneyball predict Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica correctly?

The prediction was right. Moneyball's pick on the Match Board was Benfica -1.25, and on 1-4 it was right.

Who was man of the match in Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica?

Vangelis Pavlidis, rated 7.8 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica?

J. Vergoote.