Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the first leg of the Champions League play-off clash between Benfica and PAOK Salonika in Lisbon. One of these sides is potentially just 180 minutes away from reaching the group stage of the greatest club competition in the world. Benfica will be favourites, but don't rule out the Black and Whites from Greece as they bid for their very first appearance in the CL proper. Kick off 20.00 BST.
Champions League / Play-off round
Estádio da Luz / 21.08.2018
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 21/08/2018 at 21:54 GMT+1
10'
Benfica stroking it about confidently in the early exchanges. PAOK have also settled quickly.
8'
Prijovic wastes little time unleashing an effort from distance for PAOK but sees his bold attempt sail well off target.
7'
HOW WE GOT HERE: Benfica edged to a 1-0 win over Fenerbache, while PAOK came from two down to defeat Spartak Moscow 3-2 in a real thriller. Indeed, PAOK have been a bit of a surprise package having also ousted Basel.
5'
Gedson gets on the end of a raking diagonal ball, holds off his marker and flashes the ball into the back of the net. He turns away in celebration but is stopped in his tracks by the sight of a raised flag from the referee's assistant on the far side. We remain goalless.
4'
Crespo darts towards the near post to meet an early right-wing corner, but can only guide his flicked effort wide of the target.
3'
PAOK are aiming to make their maiden appearance in the group stage having seen their previous four CL campaigns end in the qualifiers.
2'
Tonight's referee is Milorad Mažić from Serbia. He was in charge of last season's final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Kiev.
1st Half
1'
KICK OFF! Benfica get this first leg underway.
19.55
PREVIOUSLY: Benfica triumphed 4-1 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on aggregate in the second round of the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup when these sides first met. The Portuguese outfit were celebrating again in the knockout stage of the 2013-14 Europa League courtesy of a 4-0 victory on aggregate. Will it be third time lucky for PAOK?
19.50
HEAD-TO-HEAD: This is the third European tie between the sides with Benfica winning the previous two. If the Eagles prevail this time around they will clinch a ninth straight CL group stage appearance.
19.45
19.40
STAT: This is only Benfica's second UEFA Champions League play-off. The Eagles triumphed in their first when they saw off Twente 5-3 on aggregate in 2011-12.
19.35
Former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom is on the PAOK bench tonight.
19.30
Benfica keeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos - a former Panathinaikos player: "We always need to respect the opponent and to know what they are capable of doing. We know they are a good team, but we've got to focus on what we do and play our game.”
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Image credit: Getty Images
19.25
19.20
CONFIRMED TEAMS - BENFICA: Odysseas, André Almeida, Rúben Dias, Jardel, Grimaldo, Fejsa, Gedson, Zivkovic, Cervi, Pizzi, Ferreyra... Subs: Svilar, Conti, Alfa Semedo, Samaris, Rafa Silva, João Félix, Seferović. /// PAOK: Paschalakis, Léo Matos, Varela, Maurício, Prijovic, Pelkas, Crespo, Limnios, Vieirinha, Cañas, Leo Jaba...Subs: Rey, Biseswar, Shakhov, Khacheridi, Akpom, Kitsiou, Warda.