Benfica vs. Chelsea: A Tale of Two Finals

The rivalry between Benfica and Chelsea is relatively recent, but forged in the crucible of European competition. Their paths crossed memorably in not one, but two major finals, creating a narrative of heartbreak for the Portuguese side and triumph for the London club.

Europa League Final 2013: Chelsea’s Consolidation

The first, and arguably most significant encounter, took place in the 2013 Europa League Final in Amsterdam. Chelsea, shockingly eliminated from the Champions League group stage despite being the reigning champions, found themselves in the second-tier competition. Benfica, under the guidance of Jorge Jesus, were seeking their first European title since the legendary Eusébio era. Both teams displayed contrasting styles: Chelsea, under interim manager Rafael Benítez, a pragmatic approach focused on defensive solidity and counter-attacking, and Benfica, a more expansive and attacking philosophy.

The match itself was a tense affair. Fernando Torres gave Chelsea the lead in the 60th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. Benfica swiftly responded, with Óscar Cardozo converting a penalty after a handball in the box. As the game wore on, extra time seemed inevitable. However, Branislav Ivanović, in the dying moments of injury time, rose highest to head home a corner, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Chelsea. The win represented a European trophy double for Chelsea, becoming the first team to hold both the Champions League and Europa League titles simultaneously.

For Benfica, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. It continued the “Curse of Guttmann,” a supposed hex placed upon the club by former coach Béla Guttmann, who, after being denied a pay rise, allegedly cursed Benfica not to win another European title for 100 years. The loss added another chapter to this already painful narrative.

Europa League Quarter-Final 2019: A More Comfortable Affair

The two teams met again in the 2019 Europa League Quarter-Final. While not a final, the stakes were high as both sides sought a place in the semi-finals. This time, Chelsea, managed by Maurizio Sarri, proved to be the dominant force. A 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, followed by a 1-0 win at the Estádio da Luz, secured a comfortable 3-1 aggregate victory. Olivier Giroud scored the decisive goal in the second leg, further cementing Chelsea’s superiority over Benfica in European competition.

While the 2019 encounter lacked the drama of the 2013 final, it highlighted the shifting power dynamics. Chelsea had evolved into a more cohesive and attacking unit, while Benfica, though still a strong team, were unable to match the London club’s quality.

The two finals, particularly the 2013 encounter, have etched Benfica and Chelsea into each other’s history. For Chelsea, it’s a story of European success and tactical triumph. For Benfica, it remains a poignant reminder of missed opportunities and the enduring weight of the “Curse of Guttmann.”