S.L. Benfica

S.L. Benfica was founded on February 28, 1904, in Lisbon, Portugal, initially known as Sport Lisboa. The club was formed by a group of former students and is one of the 'Três Grandes' or 'Big Three' football clubs in Portugal, alongside Sporting CP and FC Porto. Benfica's founding members aimed to create a competitive team that would eventually become central to Portuguese football culture.

On May 31, 1961, S.L. Benfica won their first European Cup, marking a significant achievement by becoming the first team other than Real Madrid to win the competition. Benfica defeated FC Barcelona 3-2 in the final, held at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland. This victory was part of Benfica's rise to prominence in European football during the early 1960s.

S.L. Benfica won their second consecutive European Cup on May 2, 1962, solidifying their status as one of Europe's top clubs. They defeated Real Madrid 5-3 in the final, which was held at the Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam. This victory was particularly notable as it came against a Real Madrid team that had dominated the competition in its early years.

On May 29, 1968, S.L. Benfica reached the European Cup final, where they faced Manchester United. The match took place at Wembley Stadium in London and was a highly-anticipated encounter. Unfortunately for Benfica, they lost 4-1 after extra time. This match was significant as it was Manchester United's first European Cup triumph and saw Benfica competing at the highest level of European football.

Benfica's legendary forward Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, often referred to simply as Eusébio, secured his second European Golden Boot on December 25, 1973. This award was for being the top goalscorer in European leagues, highlighting his exceptional talent and significant contribution to Benfica and Portuguese football. Eusébio is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

S.L. Benfica reached the UEFA Cup Final on November 16, 1983, marking an important chapter in the club's European history. They faced R.S.C. Anderlecht in a two-legged final, ultimately losing 2-1 on aggregate. Despite the loss, reaching the final was an impressive achievement and demonstrated Benfica's continued presence in European competitions throughout the decades.

On May 22, 1991, S.L. Benfica reached the European Cup final again, this time facing A.C. Milan at the Prater Stadium in Vienna. Benfica lost the match 1-0, with a goal from Frank Rijkaard deciding the outcome. Despite the loss, the final appearance reaffirmed Benfica's status as a powerful force in European football, even as the club faced various challenges during the late 20th century.

S.L. Benfica celebrated its 100th anniversary on March 3, 2004. The centennial year marked a century since the club's foundation and was commemorated with various events and festivities. Benfica's history of success and enduring popularity in Portuguese and international football were celebrated nationwide, emphasizing its role as a symbol of Portuguese culture and pride.

S.L. Benfica pulled off a thrilling victory against Liverpool during the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League round of 16 on February 15, 2006. In the second leg at Anfield, Benfica won 2-0 thanks to goals from Simão and Fabrizio Miccoli. This victory allowed them to advance to the quarter-finals, marking an impressive achievement in their Champions League campaign.

On May 15, 2013, S.L. Benfica faced Chelsea in the UEFA Europa League Final, held at the Amsterdam Arena. Despite a spirited performance and dominating much of the match in terms of possession and chances, Benfica lost 2-1 due to a dramatic late goal from Chelsea's Branislav Ivanović. This match was a testament to Benfica's resilience and competitiveness on the European stage.

Benfica reached the final of the UEFA Europa League in the 2013-2014 season, after defeating Juventus on aggregate in the semi-finals. The decisive moment came on April 17, 2014, when Benfica held Juventus to a 0-0 draw in Turin, Italy, following a 2-1 victory in Lisbon. Their success against Juventus was seen as a significant triumph over a European powerhouse.

As of February 10, 2019, S.L. Benfica secured their 37th Primeira Liga title, a national record. This milestone demonstrated Benfica's consistent dominance and competitive spirit in Portuguese football. The victory allowed Benfica to further extend their lead in the number of national championships won, cementing their status as one of the most successful clubs in Portugal.