Two-time European Champion in Amsterdam 56 years ago

On May 2nd, 1962 – precisely 56 years ago – Benfica carried out one of the most epic moments of the Club's history and of Portuguese football becoming Two-time European champions, in a win over Real Madrid in the final of the seventh edition of the European Cup.

On the road to the Amsterdam final, Benfica beat Austria Wien (2-6), Nuremberg (3-7) and Tottenham (4-3). Next was the “fearsome” Real Madrid, that currently holds the record of European titles (won the European Cup 12 times and is also the team that won the competition more times in a row, with a total of five victories, from 1956 to 1960).

At the Olympic Stadium, in Amsterdam, in front of 61 257 spectators, the referee Leo Horn blew the initial whistle to an electrifying and memorable final, in which Benfica entered on the back foot. In six minutes (17’ and 23’), one of the most feared players from the "merengues", Ferenc Puskás, opened and extended the scoring, leaving the Reds trailing (2-0).

The moment was not good for Benfica, the Eagles did not throw in the towel and quickly reacted. José Águas and Cavém put the match back on level terms, with goals at 25’ and 33’. But before the break, Ferenc Puskás completed his hat-trick (38’), that took Real Madrid to the second half in the lead (3-2).

If the first half was hectic, the second half would be unforgettable for the Club. The team led by Béla Guttmann returned to the pitch with full strength and Mário Coluna, at 50’, scored the 3-3, leaving the Reds with the chance of performing. And that was what happened. Eusébio, portentous, decided the match with a brace (64’ and 69’) and made the 5-3, that made Benfica become two-time European champion.

Benfica was present in seven finals of the European Cup (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968, 1988 and 1990), from which it won two. It is, indeed, one of the three teams (besides Real Madrid and Ajax) that in the entire history of the competition (that meanwhile evolved to the Champions League format) reached four finals in five years.

Text: Márcia Dores

Pics: Archive/ SL Benfica