1968 Manchester Utd win European Cup

Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup by beating Portuguese side Benfica 4-1.

Ten years after the Munich air crash, which killed eight of Matt Busby’s young team, United reached the pinnacle of European football. Celtic had become the first Scottish and British club to win the cup the previous year.

United’s star player, George Best, had just been named European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year.

Tonight’s match at Wembley was watched by 100,000 spectators and an estimated 250 million television viewers, the biggest TV audience since the World Cup final two years earlier.

As both teams wore red, United played in blue away shirts.

The first half was marked by fouls before Bobby Charlton headed United in front in the second half. Benfica equalized with 10 minutes remaining and nearly won the match when Eusebio broke free from Nobby Stiles, but goalkeeper Alex Stepney made the save and the game went to extra time.

Two minutes into extra time, Best restored United’s lead by rounding the keeper and tapping home. Further goals from 19-year-old Brian Kidd and Charlton sealed a 4-1 victory.

Manager Matt Busby said: “They’ve done us proud. They came back with all their hearts to show everyone what Manchester United are made of.”

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The triumph marked the peak of Matt Busby’s career and he later received a knighthood before retiring as manager the following season. For George Best, it was the defining moment of a brilliant but troubled career. Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest talents, his fame led to struggles with alcohol and personal problems. He died in 2005 after a liver transplant. Bobby Charlton later became England’s record goalscorer and was knighted in 1994.