S.L. Benfica in international football

Lore & Background

Benfica won their first international trophy in 1950, beating Bordeaux on home soil to win the Latin Cup. Benfica's first European title came in 1961, defeating Barcelona to win the European Cup, and successfully retained the title in the following year after defeating Real Madrid. After that, they appeared in five more finals (1963, 1965, 1968, 1988 and 1990) but did not reconquer the title. Benfica has also reached three UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League finals (1983, 2013 and 2014). With two consecutive European Cup titles, a Portuguese record, Benfica are the second most decorated Portuguese team in overall UEFA competitions and hold the Portuguese record for most appearances in finals of UEFA competitions, with ten appearances. Additionally, their 43 participations in the Champions League (formerly the European Cup) are only surpassed by Real Madrid, and as of September 2025, Benfica occupy the seventh place at the competition's all-time ranking.

Reader's Guide

Benfica's biggest European win is 10–0, which came against Stade Dudelange of Luxembourg for the 1965–66 European Cup, and their 18–0 aggregate win (8–0 in the first leg) constitutes a European Cup record. Brazilian defender Luisão holds the club record for most appearances in Europe, with 124 matches, while Portuguese striker Eusébio is the club's leading European goalscorer, with 56 goals.

Did You Know?

• Benfica's 18–0 aggregate win over Stade Dudelange in 1965–66 is a European Cup record.
• Eusébio is Benfica's leading European goalscorer with 56 goals.
• Benfica have appeared in ten UEFA competition finals, a Portuguese record.