1968 European Cup Final
Manchester United's first European Cup triumph, sealed with a 4–1 extra-time victory over Benfica at Wembley.
The 1968 European Cup final was the final match of the 1967–68 European Cup, played at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on 29 May 1968 between Benfica of Portugal and Manchester United of England in front of a crowd of 92,225. It was Benfica's fifth European Cup final, two of which they had won, and Manchester United's first. Manchester United won 4–1 after extra time, with goals from Bobby Charlton (2), George Best, and Brian Kidd; Jaime Graça scored for Benfica.
Quick Facts
- Date
- May 29, 1968
- Venue
- Wembley Stadium, London
- Opponent
- Manchester United
- Result
- 4–1 Loss (After Extra Time)
- Benfica goal scorer
- Eusébio
- Competition
- European Cup Final
Lore & Background
Benfica reached the European Cup final for the first time in 1961, beating Barcelona 3–2. They defended their title in 1962, coming from behind to beat Real Madrid 5–3. Benfica were losing finalists in 1963 (to AC Milan) and 1965 (to Inter Milan). Manchester United had never previously reached a European Cup final; they had been losing semi-finalists in 1956–57 and 1957–58. Eight Manchester United players were killed and two more suffered career-ending injuries in the Munich air disaster in February 1958. Manchester United faced Benfica for the first time in the 1965–66 quarter-finals, winning 8–3 on aggregate.
Reader's Guide
The match was goalless at half-time. Bobby Charlton put Manchester United ahead with a header eight minutes into the second half. Jaime Graça equalised for Benfica in the 79th minute, sending the match into extra time. In extra time, George Best scored a solo goal, Brian Kidd scored a header on his 19th birthday, and Bobby Charlton scored his second in the 99th minute, making the final score 4–1 to Manchester United.
Did You Know?
- Jaime Graça scored Benfica's only goal in the 1968 European Cup final, not Eusébio.
- Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played in the 1968 European Cup Final?
S.L. Benfica faced Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 1968. This match marked a significant clash between the Portuguese giants and their English rivals.
What was the final score of the match?
Manchester United won the game with a decisive 4–1 victory after extra time. Although Eusébio scored for Benfica, it was not enough to secure the trophy.
Who scored the goal for Benfica?
The legendary striker Eusébio netted the only goal for his team during this contest. His effort stood as a bright spot amidst an otherwise difficult evening at Wembley.
Did Benfica win the European Cup in 1968?
No, the Eagles flew but did not land as they lost the competition that year. Manchester United claimed the title while Benfica returned home empty-handed after extra time.
More in Iconic Matches
Elsewhere in Benfica
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced