Portugal overtakes France in UEFA coefficients

Benfica, Young Boys and Malmo qualified for the group stages of the Champions League last night - the Portuguese club's victory edging Portugal above France in UEFA's country coefficients. 

Portuguese giants Benfica ensured their presence in the group phases with a goalless draw against PSV in their second-leg in Eindhoven, despite the Eagles playing the final hour with 10 men.

After their 2-1 first leg victory last week, Benfica will feature in the Champions League group stages next month for the tenth time in 11 years.

Benfica's qualification means that Portugal has surpassed France in Uefa's Country coefficients, although Ligue 1 will leapfrog the Primeira Liga if Monaco beat Shakhtar Donetsk later today.

England's Premier League currently tops the coefficent rankings, with La Liga (2nd), Serie A (3rd) and Bundesliga (4th) next in line. 

With Portugal now climbing, the terminology used by a variety of football databases (including Playmaker!) regarding 'UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues' might have to change for the current season, or perhaps be extended to a Uefa 'Top 6'. 

The Primeira Liga will have three teams in the Champions League group stages: champions Sporting CP and last year quarter-finalists FC Porto joining qualifiers Benfica.

Braga will be in Europa League, while Santa Clara and Paços de Ferreira will play their respective second-leg Europa Conference League play-offs after winning first legs against Partizan and Tottenham. 

For more on UEFA's country coefficients: Country coefficients | UEFA Coefficients | UEFA.com