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Benfica 5 Real Madrid 3 #09. GREATEST FOOTBALL MATCHES EVER PLAYED! Voted for by over 1,000 supporters. Each programme we will run from 10 right down to the greatest ever football match played.
European Cup Final, Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, May 2, 1962 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 firsthalf 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.
Eusébio’s goals won the 1961/62 European Cup for Benfica 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 freekick, 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