After last month’s Champions League, we took an in-depth look at Estadio da Luz, home to the giants of the Primeira Liga Benfica.
Built on top of the former 120,000-seat stadium of the same name, the new Estadio da Luz hosted its final moment of the Champions League on August 23.
Originally scheduled to be held at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, the latter this year has been moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2019-2020 festival were played at Benfica’s field or at the José Alvalade Stadium, home of Lisbon rival Sporting.
Located in the Luz district, the stadium is officially called Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, but is known as “the stadium of light” or even “the cathedral” through local fans.
Voted the top box in Europe in a 2014 L’Equipe reader survey, it is the largest stadium in Portugal and hosts many matches of national teams.
After Helder Postiga canceled Michael Owen’s first match, possible last-minute winner Sol Campbell missed for a foul on Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo. Both groups scored in extra time, but Ricardo was the hero of the penalty shoot-out: first he saved Darius Vassell’s penalty and then scored the winning goal to send the hosts into the semi-finals of Euro 2004.
Ten days later, Portugal returns to the final. The hosts were big favorites, despite losing 2-1 to Greece in the organization’s opening match, however the underdog turned the odds upside down with a goal from Angelos Charisteas in the 57th minute.
After Diego Godín nodded at them, Atlético maintained their lead until the 93rd minute, when Sergio Ramos equalized. In additional time, goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed La Décima de la Real.
World Soccer October 2020