| Benfica were the first club to challenge the hegemony of Real
Madrid in the European Cup. They had won their first title a year
earlier, in May 1961, against Barcelona in Berne. That summer, 19-year-old
Eusebio was introduced to the first team. He played a starring role
as Benfica reached
the European Cup final again, overcoming English Double winners
Spurs in a frenetic semi-final.
In one of the most anticipated finals, they faced five-times winners
Real Madrid. With rising star Eusebio on one side and the devastating
partnership of Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas on the other,
the
stage was set for a monumental clash. The goals rained in as Benfica
came from 2-0 and then 3-2 down to win 5-3.
Puskas scored a glorious first-half hat-trick but centre-forward
Aguas replied for Benfica and midfielder Cavem hit a blistering
left-foot shot to make it 2-2.
Benfica's Hungarian manager Bela Guttmann made a crucial change
at half-time, assigning Cavem to mark Di Stefano. The move cut off
supply to Puskas, and Benfica scored three times. Coluna smashed
a 30-metre shot for the equaliser, then Eusebio ran wild. Racing
past the tiring Di Stefano, he was fouled by Pachin and banged in
the resulting penalty. Then, when Coluna slipped him a free-kick,
his right-foot shot struck a defender and went in.
Line-ups
Benfica: Costa Pereira - Joao, Germano, Angelo
- Cavem, Cruz -
Augusto, Eusebio, Aguas, Coluna, Simoes.
Goals: Aguas 25, Cavem 34, Coluna 51, Eusebio pen 65, 68.
Real Madrid: Araquistain - Casado, Santamaria,
Miera - Felo, Pachin
- Tejada, Del Sol, Di Stefano, Puskas, Gento.
Goals: Puskas 17, 23, 38.
Referee: Horn (Holland).
Att: 65,000. |
