Jeff Powell's top 10 European Cup final nights: Manchester United 4 Benfica 1

No. 2 - 1968 Manchester United 4, Benfica 1 (a.e.t.), Wembley 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. On the 10th anniversary of the Munich air crash which decimated the Busby Babes, 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 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 Charlton's second made this his night above all others but Best claimed his chunk of the glory by making it safe, before Kidd turned a nail-biter into a rout. Busby and Charlton wept for friends lost on the snowy Bavarian night which they had barely survived. Wembley roared. England rejoiced.

Source: Daily_Mail