Busby's dream comes true at long last
The football might of Benfica, indeed of Portugal itself, was brought low by Manchester United at Wembley last night. In the presence of 100,000 frenzied spectators United won 4-1 after extra-time and for the first time in the 13 years of the competition the European Champions' Cup has come to England. Better still to Lancashire. And, perhaps best of all, to Manchester United.
It was written that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams on and Manchester United and their countless admirers will testify to the efficacy of that belief. Ever since United removed Real Madrid from the semi-finals, football enthusiasts in this country and beyond the seas have entreated the gods to look favourably on Old Trafford, with particular reference to the team and to Matt Busby, its manager.
No matter that those gods chose to ignore similar supplications on behalf of Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, Burnley, Liverpool and Everton in seasons past. Nor, for that matter, those on behalf of Manchester United, who had fought losing battles in three previous semi-finals.
This time surely United would not be denied in spite of the menace of the incomparable Eusebio. Nor in spite of the fact that Benfica's forward line was that which played for Portugal in the World Cup two years ago. Speculation was rife as the crowds closed in from every side.
If the scenes after the match defied adequate description, those before challenged it. With several hours to go, United's followers captured the heights around the stadium and slept a perspiring sleep through the hot afternoon, concerned only with the damnation of Benfica. And so it proved, although their heroes made harder work of it than they need have done.
Best flattened
United had most of the play in the first half but many of their attacks ended abruptly with the flattening of Best, three times by Cruz - who once trod on Best's face for an encore - and three times by Humberto. All eyes, of course, were on Eusebio, who produced the best shot of the first half. Stepney was given no time to move. He could only stand and hope as the ball rattled against his crossbar.
Then, in the 53rd minute, it happened - Dunne to Sadler, Sadler a lob of geometrical precision into the goalmouth, where Charlton flicked the ball into the net. Ten minutes from the end United faltered and Stiles thumped the ground in anguish after Augusto and Torres had paved the way for a goal by Graca. It was unbelievable after United's domination.
In seven minutes of the first period of extra-time, however, United destroyed Benfica with further goals from Best, Kidd (19 yesterday) and Charlton.
Inevitably it was a night for tears, rejoicing and maybe pathos as well. Yet I suspect the emotion transcending all others was that of unqualified universal pleasure for one man: Matt Busby, manager of Manchester United. There is no need here to recount his exploits as a player and as a manager. They are known by heart anyway. Now the European Cup has been added to Old Trafford's bulging cupboards.
And when we are "old and grey and full of sleep and nodding by the fire", what, I wonder, will be the most clearly defined memory of Wembley, May 29, 1968? United's missed chances? Eusebio's lethal shooting? Foulkes, th'owd chain horse, playing Torres out of the game? Or of Busby marching on to the pitch at the final whistle and shaking hands with the Benfica players and officials before turning to his own men?
Or will it be the memory of Busby, the man who "learned to labour and to wait", embracing his magnificent backroom boys and then watching his men do a lap of honour? And did he look up briefly at the heavens as if seeking - and getting, no doubt - the approval of the spirits of Munich? And did he look, too, with pride on his bright young men, his hopes for years to come, and maybe more so on Charlton and Foulkes, who have been with him almost since they learned to kick a football?
Home are the hunters, home from the hill. At last.