Jeff Powells top European Cup finals: No 2 - Manchester United 4 Benfica 1

Published: 26 May 2009 - 21:12:03

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Jeff Powells top European Cup finals: No 2 - Manchester United 4 Benfica 1

At long last the wait for England's first European champions was ended and destiny played its part along with Matt Busby, Bobby Charlton and George Best. Ten years after the Munich air crash which decimated the Busby Babes, Manchester United honoured the memory of those who died by claiming an overdue place in the legend of the European Cup for themselves and for football's mother country. The final itself remains a tribute to their commitment to adventurous football. Charlton's first goal would not have edged United into extra time but for Alex Stepney's flying save from Benfica legend Eusebio, who was to curse himself for going for an extravagant winning flourish rather than a neat, certain finish. Come the added half-hour and Best claimed his chunk of the glory by putting United ahead, Brian Kidd added the third and Charlton's second rounded it off nicely. Busby and Charlton wept for friends lost on the snowy Bavarian night which they had barely survived. Wembley roared. England rejoiced.