Mário Coluna: 11 years of immense longing

José Augusto opened the scoring, António Simões made it solid with the fourth goal and Pérides helped fill the pitch in SL Benfica's biggest ever win against Real Madrid, 5-1 - which was also the meringues' first ever defeat in the European Cup. On February 24, 1965, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the competition that would evolve into the Champions League, the Estádio da Luz hosted an iconic European night for the Glorioso. The three legends, 60 years later, listened to Emissora Nacional's commentary of the game and relived the magical moments in their own detail. 

Little Genius to many, simply Chalana to others, one of the most remarkable and iconic football players in the centenary history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. This Monday, February 10, marks the 66th anniversary of the birth of Fernando Chalana, who wore the Manto Sagrado for 13 seasons (1974/75 to 1983/84 and 1987/88 to 1989/90) and left us on August 10, 2022. Forever in our hearts!

This Wednesday marks the 77th anniversary of the birth of Sven-Göran Eriksson, one of the mythical coaches of Sport Lisboa e Benfica's centenary history.  An outstanding professional, he managed the Glorioso for five seasons (1982/83 and 1983/84, and 1989/90 to 1991/92) and revolutionized Portuguese football - leaving a legacy of innovation and titles. This February 5 is a day marked by eternal nostalgia for the man who passed away on August, 26, 2024.