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European Cup Final 1968

Manchester United 2 Benfica 1

Manchester United reached their first European Cup final in 1968, a year when the final was staged at Wembley stadium, England. The final, watched by a crowd of 100,000 and an estimated tv audience of 250 million, was between Manchester United and Benfica. As is often the case the final was not a great specatcle, the first half struggled to flow due to the number of fouls committed. Manchester United drew first blood within 10 minutes of the second half when Bobby Charlton scored the first goal of the match. The score remained the same until the 75th minute when Manchester United lost their advantage through a Benfica equaliser by Graca. The Portuguese side came close to winning when Benfica's Eusebio broke through but his shot was well saved by Manchester United keeper Alex Stepney and the full time score remained Manchester United 1 Benfica 1.

Manchester United took the game by the scruff of the neck in extra time and with just two minutes played George Best dribbled past the keeper and made it Manchester United 2 Benfica 1. Just one minute later Brian Kidd scored United's third and with extra time less than 10 minutes old the cup was firmly in Manchester United's hands when their captain Bobby Charlton scored his second of the match.  The game finished Manchester United 4 Benfica 1 and with it Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup. United manager Matt Busby, who was seriously injured 10 years before during the Munich air disaster, said: "They've done us proud. They came back with all their hearts to show everyone what Manchester United are made of. This is the most wonderful thing that has happened in my life and I am the proudest man in England tonight."

Manchester United team: Stepney, Dunne, Foulkes, Stiles, Brennan, Sadler, Crerand, Charlton, Best,
Kidd, Aston

Benfica team: Henrique, Calisto, Fernandes, Santos, Cruz, Gaca, Coluna, Augusto, Eusebio, Torres, Simaos