1968–69 S.L. Benfica season

Benfica 1968–69 President Adolfo Vieira de Brito (until 12 April 1969) Duarte Borges Coutinho Head coach Otto Glória Estádio da Luz Primeira Divisão 1st Taça de Portugal Winners European Cup Quarter-finals Torres (16) Eusébio (29) Benfica 8–0 União Almeirim (9 February 1969) CUF 3–0 Benfica (24 November 1968) Ajax 3–0 Benfica (5 March 1969) _whiteborder _collarwhite _whiteborder DD0000 DD0000 DD0000 FFFFFF DD0000 _redborder _collarwithbodywhite _redborder FFFFFF FF0000 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 1967–68 1969–70 The 1968–69 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 65th season in existence and the club's 35th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 August 1968 to 31 July 1969. Domestically, Benfica competed in the Primeira Divisão and Taça de Portugal, while internationally participated in the European Cup. Several new players, including Humberto Coelho and Nené, joined Benfica as Otto Glória continued his second spell as manager. The team secured its 17th league title, and completed the domestic double by winning the Taça de Portugal after defeating Académica 2–1 in the final. In Europe, Benfica eliminated Valur and defeated Ajax away, but were eliminated by the Dutch side after a play-off in Paris, in what was later regarded as a symbolic turning point in continental football. Season summary After a difficult season that nevertheless ended with Benfica retaining the league title, the board decided to keep Otto Glória as coach for another year. Humberto Coelho, Zeca, Toni, Vítor Martins, Nené, Abel Miglietti and Praia joined the squad, while Nélson Fernandes, Santana and Iaúca departed. Pre-season began with a tour of South America, where Benfica drew 1–1 with Clube do Remo, 1–1 with Boca Juniors, lost 4–2 to Santos, drew 3–3 with River Plate, lost 2–1 to Nacional, lost 2–0 to Botafogo, drew 2–2 with Independiente Santa Fe, and finished with a 3–3 draw against Santos. While the first team was on tour, the reserves won 2–1 against Belenenses in the semi-final of the Taça de Honra, before defeating Sporting 3–0 in the final. The official season opened on 8 September with a 4–1 home win over Belenenses in the first league match. In the following three rounds, Benfica defeated Braga, Vitória de Setúbal and Leixões, before a 1–1 draw away to Varzim, finishing October one point clear at the top of the table.Classificação do Campeonato Nacional http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06593.131.22832#!15 Diário de Lisboa 15 2025-09-18 In Europe, Benfica eliminated Valur 8–1 on aggregate, with all goals scored in the second leg at home.Quando ganhar por oito tem algum <<valur>> relativo http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06592.130.22804#!19 Diário de Lisboa 19 2025-09-18 November began with a 4–3 home win over Atlético, followed by two goalless draws—against Sporting awaySporting e Benfica empataram em Alvalade http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06594.132.22927 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 and Vitória de Guimarães at homeO Benfica empatou http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06594.132.22953 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19—and a 2–0 away loss to CUF. In December, Benfica defeated Académica 3–2 at home, lost 1–0 away to Porto,O Porto venceu o Benfica http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06595.133.23052 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 and closed the year with victories over Belenenses and União de Tomar, finishing 1968 level on 21 points with Porto.O Benfica venceu no Restelo http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06596.134.23101#!15 Diário de Lisboa 15 2025-09-19 The new year began with a 5–0 win over Braga, a 1–1 draw in Setúbal and a 5–0 victory against Sanjoanense. In February, Benfica drew 0–0 away to Leixões, defeated Varzim 3–1 at home and Atlético 2–0 away, finishing the month in first place with a two-point lead. Also that month, Benfica eliminated União Almeirim 8–0 in the first round of the Taça de Portugal, won 3–1 away against Ajax in Amsterdam,Benfica – <<regresso>> de gala em noite de neve e frio http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06597.135.23255 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 but lost 3–1 at home in the second leg,Na fronteira do impossivel http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06597.135.23272#!22 Diário de Lisboa 22 2025-09-19 forcing a play-off. March opened with a 0–0 home draw against Sporting,O empate do Benfica isola o Porto no comando http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06598.136.23307 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 followed by a 3–0 victory over Porto in the second round of the Taça de Portugal,Benfica e Belenenses apurados http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06598.136.23329 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 a 2–0 away loss to Vitória de Guimarães, a 1–0 win over CUF and a 2–0 away win against Académica, ending the month level on points with Porto. Between the Sporting and Porto fixtures, the decisive play-off with Ajax was held at the Parc des Princes in Paris. After a goalless 90 minutes, Ajax scored three times in extra-time to eliminate Benfica in the quarter-finals.Benfica 0-3 Ajax http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06598.136.23316 Diário de Lisboa 1 2025-09-19 The match is often described as a symbolic “passing of the torch”: Benfica, one of the dominant forces in European football during the 1960s—twice European Cup winners and five-time finalists—were seen as yielding the stage to the rising Ajax side that would shape the following decade.Benfica exibicao documentario The Birth of the great Ajax apurados https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/agora/noticias/2025/06/28/clube-benfica-exibicao-documentario-the-birth-of-the-great-ajax S.L. Benfica 2025-09-19Ajax Doc: 'Ajax-Benfica: the birth of the great Ajax' https://sportinforma.sapo.pt/futebol/liga-dos-campeoes/artigos/o-ajax-benfica-de-1969-quando-os-deuses-do-futebol-passaram-testemunho-no-meio-de-mortais Ajax 2025-09-19O Ajax-Benfica de 1969: Quando os 'deuses do futebol' passaram testemunho no meio de mortais https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-doc-ajax-benfica-the-birth-of-the-great-ajax sapo.pt 2025-09-19 In April, Benfica drew 0–0 at home with PortoEmpate Benfica-Porto título ainda em dúvida http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=06599.137.23476 Diário de Lisboa 2025-09-19 and won 4–0 away against União de Tomar, securing the league title. The team progressed to the Taça de Portugal final by eliminating Atlético de Luanda 7–2 on aggregate, Belenenses 3–2 in the quarter-finals and CUF 7–3 in the semi-finals. On 22 June, Benfica faced Académica in the Taça de Portugal final. The match was marked by protests from Académica supporters, many of them university students opposing the regime, joined by Benfica supporters. Benfica won 2–1 after extra-time with a goal from Eusébio, while the day also became remembered for the broader student movement that emerged from the protest.Em 1969, a Académica perdeu a Taça mas foram os estudantes que festejaram https://www.publico.pt/2012/05/20/jornal/em-1969-a-academica-perdeu-a-taca-mas-foram-os-estudantes-que-festejaram-24573489 Público 2025-09-19 Competitions #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Postponed 1px solid #AAAAAA Overall record Competition First match Last match RecordGWDLGFGAGDWin %Source Primeira Divisão 8 September 1968 27 April 1969 26 16 7 3 49 17 yes 1968-69 Primeira Divisão RSSSF https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/porthist196869.html 2025-09-19 Taça de Portugal 9 February 1969 22 June 1969 9 7 2 0 30 8 yes1968-69 Taça de Portugal RSSSF https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/portcuphistfull.html#69 2025-09-19 European Cup 18 September 1968 5 March 1969 5 2 1 2 12 8 yes European Cup 1968-69 UEFA https://pt.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1968/ 2025-09-19 Total 40 25 10 5 91 33 yes Primeira Divisão 1968–69 Primeira Divisão League standings main WDL QR 2 BEN Benfica POR Porto VGU Vitória de Guimarães VSE Vitória de Setúbal SCP Sporting CP 16 7 3 49 17 C 15 7 4 39 23 13 10 3 46 17 13 9 4 45 20 11 8 7 35 20 green1 Qualification to European Cup first round EC blue1 Qualification to Inter-Cities Fairs Cup first round ICFC ICFC ICFC ICFC complete RSSSFPortugal 1968-69 - RSSSF (Jorge Miguel Teixeira) 2001 RSSSF https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/porthist196869.html 2012-04-24 Matches 1 8 September 1968 Benfica 4–1 April 2026 Belenenses Torres 5 Eusébio 12 penalty 70 Jacinto 44 Manuel Rodrigues 16 penalty Lisbon Estádio da Luz Marcos Lobato W 2 15 September 1968 Braga 0–1 April 2026 Benfica Juvenal 55 o.g. Braga Estádio 28 de Maio Fernando Leite W 3 22 September 1968 Benfica 2–1 April 2026 Vitória de Setúbal Torres 12 41 Ernesto de Figueiredo 8 Lisbon Estádio da Luz Manuel Fortunato W 4 29 September 1968 Sanjoanense 0–1 April 2026 Benfica Jacinto 16 penalty W 5 6 October 1968 Benfica 4–0 April 2026 Leixões Torres 20 52 Augusto 61 79 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 6 13 October 1968 Varzim 1–1 April 2026 Benfica Camolas 77 Jaime Graça 60 Póvoa do Varzim Estádio do Varzim Sport Club Henrique Costa D 7 3 November 1968 Benfica 4–3 April 2026 Atlético Augusto 2 Torres 13 Coluna 16 60 Tito 30 86 Raimundo 67 Lisbon Estádio da Luz Ilídio Cacho W 8 10 November 1968 Sporting 0–0 April 2026 Benfica Lisbon Estádio José Alvalade Caetano Nogueira D 9 17 November 1968 Benfica 0–0 April 2026 Vitória de Guimarães Lisbon Estádio da Luz Mário Alves D 10 24 November 1968 CUF 3–0 April 2026 S.L. Benfica José Monteiro 16 26 48 Barreiro Estádio Alfredo da Silva Manuel Fortunato L 11 1 December 1968 Benfica 3–2 April 2026 Académica Torres 19 Praia 74 90 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 12 15 December 1968 Porto 1–0 April 2026 Benfica Custódio Pinto 15 Porto Estádio das Antas Saldanha Ribeiro L 13 22 December 1968 Benfica 4–0 April 2026 União de Tomar Torres 20 25 71 Jaime Graça 38 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 14 29 December 1968 Belenenses 1–2 April 2026 Benfica Valter Ferreira 20 Jaime Graça 10 Torres 61 Belém Estádio do Restelo W 15 5 January 1969 Benfica 5–0 April 2026 Braga Torres 15 48 55 Eusébio 30 Jaime Graça 57 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 16 19 January 1969 Vitória de Setúbal 1–1 April 2026 Benfica José Maria 1 Coluna 3 Setúbal D 17 26 January 1969 Benfica 5–0 April 2026 Sanjoanense Torres 12 26 Jaime Graça 37 Toni 62 Eusébio 72 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 18 2 February 1969 Benfica 0–0 April 2026 Leixões Matosinhos D 19 16 February 1969 Benfica 3–1 April 2026 Varzim Jaime Graça 11 Augusto 33 Simões 51 Nélson Fernandes 44 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 20 23 February 1969 Atlético 0–2 April 2026 Benfica Eusébio42 86 Lisbon W 21 2 March 1969 Sporting 0–0 April 2026 Benfica Lisbon Estádio José Alvalade D 22 16 March 1969 Vitória de Guimarães 2–0 April 2026 Benfica Peres 64 68 Guimarães Estádio D. Afonso Henriques Marcos Lobato L 23 23 April 1969 Benfica 1–0 April 2026 CUF Eusébio 13 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W 24 30 March 1969 Académica 0–2 April 2026 Benfica Eusébio 69 84 Coimbra W 25 20 April 1969 Benfica 0–0 April 2026 Porto Lisbon Estádio da Luz Manuel Fortunato D 26 27 April 1969 Uniao de Tomar 0–4 April 2026 Benfica Eusébio 6 Augusto 26 Simões 39 Faustino Luís 64 o.g. Tomar Estádio José Frederico Ulrich Mário Alves W Taça de Portugal 1968–69 Taça de Portugal First round 2 September 1968 Benfica 8–0 April 2026 Almeirim Simões 2 Abel Miglietti 15 82 Eusébio 17 31 42 Augusto 33 Jacinto 62 Lisbon Estádio da Luz W Second round 9 March 1969 Benfica 3–0 April 2026 Porto João Atraca 6 o.g. Eusébio 9 81 penalty Lisbon Estádio da Luz Francisco Lobo W Third Round First leg 10 May 1969 Atlético Luanda 0–4 April 2026 Benfica Eusébio 3 52 75 Praia 89 Luanda Estádio dos Coqueiros Hernâni Leite W Second leg 14 May 1968 Benfica 3–2 7–2 April 2026 Atlético Luanda Eusébio 21 75 Augusto 88 Luanda Estádio dos Coqueiros Ismael Baltazar W Quarter-Finals First leg 25 May 1969 Belenenses 0–1 April 2026 Benfica Eusébio 89 Belém Estádio do Restelo Mário Alves W Second leg 1 June 1968 Benfica 2–2 3–2 April 2026 Belenenses Eusébio 30 84 José Cardoso 45 Roberto Saporiti 51 Lisbon Estádio da Luz Américo Barradas D Semi-Finals First leg 7 June 1969 Benfica 5–1 April 2026 CUF Eusébio 7 53 61 Torres 63 87 José Monteiro 55 Lisbon Estádio da Luz João Calado W Second leg 15 June 1969 CUF 2–2 3–7 April 2026 Benfica Capitão Mor 34 Toni 64 Eusébio 66 Barreiro Estádio Alfredo da Silva D Final 22 June 1969 Benfica 2–1 (a.e.t.) April 2026 Académica Simões 85 Eusébio 109 Manuel António 81 Oeiras Estádio do Jamor Ismael Baltazar W European Cup 1968–69 European Cup First Round First leg 18 September 1968 Valur ISL 0–0 Report POR Benfica Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík 18,243 Patrick Graham (Republic of Ireland) D Second leg 2 October 1968 Benfica POR 8–1 8–1 Report ISL Valur Simões 4Jacinto 7Torres 11 47 79Eusébio 20Coluna 27José Augusto 48 Gunnarsson 68 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon 24,389 Joseph Cassar-Naudi (Malta) W Second Round Benfica got a second round bye. Quarter-Finals First leg 12 February 1969 Ajax NED 1–3 https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/62514--ajax-vs-benfica/ POR Benfica Danielsson 48 Santos 31 pen.Torres 36José Augusto 61 Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam 55,150 Robert Holley Davidson (Scotland) W Second leg 19 February 1969 Benfica POR 1–3 https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/62515--benfica-vs-ajax/ NED Ajax Torres 70 Danielsson 9 Cruyff 12 32 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon 31,01962515 Benfica v Ajax, 19 February 1969 13 March 2022 Antonio Sbardella (Italy) L 5 March 1969 Play-off Ajax NED 3–0 (a.e.t.) 7–4 https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/68477--ajax-vs-benfica/ POR Benfica Cruyff 93Danielsson 105 108 Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Paris 63,638 Roger Mâchin (France) L Friendlies 9 August 1968 Clube do Remo 1–1 Benfica Torres Belém Estádio Evandro Almeida D 11 August 1968 Boca Juniors 1–1 Benfica Jacinto Buenos Aires La Bombonera D 18 August 1968 Benfica 2–4 Santos Toni Jorge Calado Buenos Aires La Bombonera L 20 August 1968 River Plate 3–3 Benfica Onega 31 52 Vital 65 José Torres 26 49 Eusébio 54 Buenos Aires La Bombonera D 22 August 1968 Benfica 1–2 Nacional Jacinto 24 Mujica 27 34 Buenos Aires La Bombonera L 27 August 1968 Benfica 0–2 Botafogo Caracas Estádio Olímpico de la Universidad Central de Venezuela L 30 August 1968 Independiente Santa Fe 0–0 Benfica Bogotá Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín D Taça de HonraOfficial AFL tournament. Semi-Finals 29 August 1968 Belenenses 1–2 Benfica Valter 33 Abel Miglietti 35 58 Belém Estádio do Restelo W 1 September 1968 Benfica 3–3 Santos Jacinto Augusto Eusébio New York Yankee Stadium D Taça de HonraOfficial AFL tournament. Finals 4 September 1968 Benfica 3–0 Sporting Raúl Águas 22 Pavão 59 79 Belém Estádio do Restelo W Tribute to Trappeniers, Cornelis and Van Himst 12 March 1969 Anderlecht 3–2 Benfica Jaime Graça Torres Brussels Constant Vanden Stock Stadium L Beira-Rio inauguration 6 April 1969 Internacional 2–1 Benfica Eusébio Porto Alegre Estádio Beira-Rio L Beira-Rio inauguration 8 April 1969 Grêmio 2–1 Benfica Eusébio Porto Alegre Estádio Beira-Rio L Iberian Trophy Semi-Finals 26 June 1969 Benfica 1–0 Real Sociedad Torres 35 Badajoz Estadio El Vivero W Iberian Trophy Final 28 June 1969 Benfica 4–1 Atlético Madrid Eusébio 3 Eusébio 40 Jaime Graça 45 Simões 89 Adelardo 17 Badajoz Estadio El Vivero W Player statistics The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Otto Glória (manager), Fernando Cabrita (assistant manager). Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 1968–69 season via transfer, with more details in the following section. Primeira Divisão Taça de Portugal European Cup 1 POR Alfredo Nascimento GK 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 POR José Henrique GK 23 0 8 0 4 0 1 POR Manuel Abrantes GK 0 0 1 0 0 0 POR Jacinto DF 22 2 5 1 5 1 POR Domiciano Cavém DF 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 POR Adolfo Calisto DF 12 0 8 0 2 0 2 POR Malta da Silva DF 1 0 5 0 0 0 3 POR Fernando Cruz DF 22 0 2 0 5 0 3 POR Humberto Fernandes MF 2 0 1 0 2 0 3 POR Humberto Coelho MF 26 0 9 0 5 0 4 POR Zeca DF 5 0 7 0 0 0 5 POR Raul Machado DF 18 0 1 0 4 0 POR Praia MF 14 2 3 1 0 0 6 POR Jaime Pavão MF 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 POR Jaime Graça MF 21 6 9 0 5 1 6 POR Mário Coluna MF 24 3 8 0 4 1 7 POR José Augusto FW 23 5 8 2 5 2 7 POR Nené FW 4 0 0 0 0 0 8 POR Manuel José MF 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 POR Toni MF 22 1 8 1 4 0 9 POR Abel Miglietti MF 5 0 4 2 0 0 9 POR José Torres FW 19 16 8 2 5 5 10 POR Eusébio FW 21 10 9 18 5 1 10 POR Raul Águas MF 4 0 0 0 0 0 11 POR António Simões FW 22 2 9 2 5 1 |} References Category:S.L. Benfica seasons Benfica Category:Portuguese football championship–winning seasons