The first opponent of the Portuguese champion was the Scotish team Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Benfica brought a 2-1 victory from Edinburgh, J. Augusto and J. Águas scored the Portuguese goals. In Lisbon the vitory also smiled to Benfica on a three null victory. The same scorers but these time Águas scored twice.
The next round was against Újpest Football Club and after a large victory, 6-2 (J. Augusto 2, J. Águas, Santana and Cavém) on the first game in Luz, few believed Újpesti FC could do better. The second game in Budapest was a defeat 2-1 (Santana) but the main objectiv was obtained.
The Dannish team AGF - Aarhus Gymnastik Forening tried in vain to do better, but this Benfica was unstopable. Two victories marked the eliminatory, 3-1 in Lisbon (J. Augusto and J. Águas 2) and 4-1 in Denmark (J. Augusto 2, Santana and J. Águas).
The Austrian team, SK Rapid Wien came to Lisbon and suffered 3 goals (J. Águas, M. Coluna and Cavém). The second game had to end 3 minutes before the regulamentar time, this because by then the result was 1-1 (J. Águas) and the referee didn’t mark a supposed penalty fault.
On the 31st May 1961 the Wankdorf Stadium, in Berne, received the European Champions Cup Final. FC Barcelona, that had earlier eliminated Real Madrid CF, would be the other finalist, playing against SL Benfica. FC Barcelona had great players by that time, like for instance, the Hungarians Kubala, Kocsis and Czibor.
Location: Berne, Wankford Stadium (30 000 spectators)
Date: 31/05/1961
Referee: Gottfie Dienst (Switzerland).
Finalist Teams:
SL Benfica: Costa Pereira, Mário João, Ângelo, Neto, Germano, Cruz, José Augusto, Santana, José Águas, Coluna and Cavém.
Location: Berne, Wankford Stadium (30 000 spectators)
Date: 31/05/1961
Referee: Gottfie Dienst (Switzerland).
Finalist Teams:
SL Benfica: Costa Pereira, Mário João, Ângelo, Neto, Germano, Cruz, José Augusto, Santana, José Águas, Coluna and Cavém.
FC Barcelona: Ramallets, Foncho, Garay, Vergés, Gensana, Garcia, Kubala, Suarez, Evaristo, Kocsis and Czibor.
Sport Lisboa e Benfica 3-2 Futbol Club Barcelona
The first goal of the game was scored by kocsis (20’) but before the end of the first half Águas scored and Vergés with an own goal, turned the result. Coluna scored soon on the second half, but FC Barcelona players made everything they could to change the result. Fortunately for us only Czibor scored (75’).
The Benfica’s Coach Bella Guttmann knew how, the team who had belonged before to Otto Gloria, could make brilliant exhibitions. The rest was done by, the Portuguese goalkeeper, Costa Pereira, and by his brave companions.
Preliminary round
Hearts FC 1-5 SL Benfica
FC Barcelona 5-0 KS Lierse
First round
Real Madrid CF 3-4 FC Barcelona
SL Benfica 7-4 Újpest FC
Quarter-finals
SL Benfica 7-2 AGF Århus
FC Barcelona 5-1 Hradec Králové
Semi-finals
FC Barcelona 2-2 Hamburg SV
SL Benfica 4-1 Rapid Wien
Final
SL Benfica 3-2 FC Barcelona
