1982 European Championship Final
The Eagles of Lisbon: Portugal's most decorated club.
Benfica is a professional football club based in Lisbon, Portugal, that competes in the Primeira Liga. Founded on 28 February 1904 as Sport Lisboa, Benfica is one of the 'Big Three' clubs in Portugal that have never been relegated from Primeira Liga. Their home ground has been the Estádio da Luz since 2003.
Quick Facts
- Reality check
- No such match exists for Benfica
- Competition type
- European Championship is for National Teams only
Lore & Background
Benfica was founded on 28 February 1904 at Farmácia Franco in Belém. On 13 September 1908, Sport Lisboa merged with Grupo Sport Benfica, changing its name to Sport Lisboa e Benfica. The club's first international success came in 1950, winning the Latin Cup. Benfica won back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962, and reached a total of ten European finals. The club's motto is 'E pluribus unum'.
Reader's Guide
Benfica is the most decorated club in Portugal with 88 major trophies, including a record 38 Primeira Liga titles, a record 26 Taça de Portugal, a record 8 Taça da Liga, 10 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, and 3 Campeonato de Portugal. Internationally, they won the Latin Cup in 1950 and the European Cup in 1961 and 1962. The club's anthem is 'Ser Benfiquista'.
Did You Know?
- Benfica is the most supported Portuguese club and the European club with the highest percentage of supporters in its own country.
- In February 2025, Benfica reached 400,000 club members, making them the largest sports club in the world by membership at the time.
- Benfica hold the overall record for the biggest aggregate win in the UEFA Champions League, achieved in 1965–66.
- Benfica became the first undefeated champions in Portuguese league history in 1972–73.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Benfica play in a 1982 European Championship Final?
No, such a match never occurred because the European Championship is contested by national teams rather than clubs. Benfica participated in the European Cup that year but did not reach the final stage.
What was Benfica's actual performance in 1982 European competitions?
The club advanced to the semi-finals of the European Cup before being eliminated by Bayern Munich. This result is often confused with a final due to their historic pedigree.
Why do some sources mention a 1982 Final for Benfica?
This confusion likely stems from mixing up club tournaments with the 1982 FIFA World Cup or misremembering earlier triumphs. There is no factual record of a Benfica final in that specific year.
Who defeated Benfica during the 1982 European campaign?
Bayern Munich knocked them out during the semi-finals of the European Cup. This match marked the end of their run for that season.
When was the last European Cup Final Benfica played before 1983?
Their previous appearance in a final took place in 1968 against Manchester United. They did not contest another European Cup final during the intervening years.
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