1959 European Cup Final
Real Madrid's fourth consecutive European Cup triumph
The 1959 European Cup final was a football match played at the Neckarstadion in Stuttgart, Germany on 3 June 1959 as the conclusion to the 1958–59 European Cup. The match was contested by three-time defending champions Real Madrid of Spain, the only previous team to win the competition, and Stade de Reims of France and was a replay of the inaugural final in 1956. Goals from Enrique Mateos and Alfredo Di Stéfano helped Real Madrid to a 2–0 win as they successfully defended their title to lift the trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
Quick Facts
- Result
- 2–0 Victory
- Key player
- Alfredo Di Stéfano (Forward)
Lore & Background
Real Madrid had won the first three editions of the European Cup in 1956, 1957 and 1958. Stade de Reims had only once played in the European Cup before reaching the inaugural final in 1956 and remaining unbeaten in the tournament until the final. In the inaugural season of the European Cup, Real Madrid and Reims met in the final which was played at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France on 13 June 1956. Early goals from Michel Leblond and Jean Templin gave Reims a 2–0 advantage after 10 minutes. Real Madrid rallied and goals from Alfredo Di Stéfano and Héctor Rial saw them level the score after half an hour. In the second half, Reims retook the lead through Michel Hidalgo but were pegged back by Marquitos. Rial scored his second of the game with 11 minutes to play as Real Madrid completed their comeback to win the match 4–3 and lift the trophy.
Reader's Guide
Real Madrid qualified for the competition as defending champions and they were given a bye in the preliminary round. In the first round, Real Madrid defeated Beşiktaş of Turkey 2–0 at home in the first leg before drawing the second leg 1–1 to advance 3–1 on aggregate. Real Madrid then faced Wiener Sport-Club of Austria in the quarter-finals. After a goalless draw in the first leg in Vienna, Real Madrid won the second leg at home 7–1 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Real Madrid faced local rivals Atlético Madrid. After winning the first leg 2–1 at home, Real Madrid lost the second leg 1–0 away which resulted in a tie, 2–2 on aggregate. As a result, a replay was held at a neutral venue in Zaragoza which Real Madrid won 2–1 to advance to the final. Reims qualified for the competition as winners of the 1957–58 French Division 1.
In the preliminary round, Reims defeated Ards of Northern Ireland 4–1 away in the first leg and 6–2 at home in the second leg to progress 10–3 on aggregate. Reims then faced Helsingin Palloseura (HPS) of Finland in the first round. After winning the first leg 4–0 at home, Reims won the second leg 3–0 away to progress 7–0 on aggregate. Standard Liège of Belgium were Reims opponents in the quarter-finals.
Despite losing the first leg away from home 2–0, Reims came from behind to win the tie after a 3–0 win at home in the second leg, 3–2 on aggregate. In the semi-finals, Reims faced Young Boys of Switzerland. Similar to the previous round, Reims lost the first leg 1–0 away from home but followed that up with a 3–0 home win in the second leg to advance to the final 3–1 on aggregate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played in the European Cup Final involving Eintracht Frankfurt?
Eintracht Frankfurt faced Real Madrid, led by Alfredo Di Stéfano, in a historic clash that took place on June 3, 1960. This match marked the German club's first and only appearance in the competition's final during the mid-20th century.
What was the final score of the 1960 European Cup Final?
Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a heavy 3–7 defeat against Real Madrid, despite putting up a valiant fight. The result remains the club's sole appearance in the tournament's championship decider.
Who was a key player for Eintracht Frankfurt in this final?
Goalkeeper Egon Loy stood out as a pivotal figure for the Eagles during their heroic performance against the European kings. His efforts were crucial as the team displayed remarkable tactical discipline and attacking flair throughout the game.
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