On this day, Manchester United made history by becoming the first English club to win the European Cup. The final, held at Wembley Stadium, saw Manchester United triumph over Benfica with a decisive 4-1 victory. This landmark achievement marked a significant milestone in English football, as Manchester United etched their name into the annals of European football history.
29th May 1985
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The European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, was marred by tragedy. Just 18 days after the Bradford City fire disaster, the event was overshadowed by rioting fans and a collapsed wall at the ageing stadium. This led to the deaths of 39 fans and injuries to over 600 others. Despite the calamity occurring before kick-off, the match proceeded due to fears of further violence if it were cancelled. The result of the match became insignificant in light of the tragic events that unfolded.
29th May 2015
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Forty-seven years after Benfica faced Manchester United in the European Cup final, the Portuguese side found themselves up against another Manchester team, FC United of Manchester. This club was founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters in protest against the club’s takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazer. The match was held to officially open FC United of Manchester’s new Broadhurst Park ground, with a crowd of 4,232 witnessing a 1-0 victory for Benfica’s reserve side.
29th May 2019
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The Europa League final in 2019 featured an all-London clash between Arsenal and Chelsea, but the match was far from a local derby. Held at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, the final posed logistical challenges for fans, with the 5,000+ mile round-trip proving costly and impractical. Consequently, neither club sold their full allocation of tickets. To boost attendance, local fans were reportedly allowed free entry. Chelsea emerged victorious with a 4-1 win over Arsenal, securing the Europa League title.