The 1958 European Cup Final took place at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, on 28 May 1958. It was contested by Real Madrid of Spain and Milan of Italy.70,000 spectators packed in the stadium to see who would be crowned European Champions for the season. Italian giants AC Milan would definitely pose the strongest challenge to Real Madrid’s attempt to win the European Cup for the third year in a row. Madrid had previously defeated Milan in the semi-finals of the inaugural European Cup in 1955-56.
Milan had recently signed the most expensive player in the world, Uruguayan World Cup winner Juan Schiaffino and the Swedish Nils Liedholm. Real Madrid on the other side, had strengthened with the signing of Stade de Reims Champagne striker Raymond Kopa and had also signed an Uruguayan World Cup winner, the giant center back Jose Santamaria, in an attempt to replace the recently retired Miguel Munoz.
The final started but neither team managed to score during the first half. In the second half Milan took the lead moments past the hour mark when Juan Schiaffino scored the first goal on a counter attack. Moments later, Milan got unlucky when Ernesto Cucchiaroni's shot hit the post. The Key player for Real Madrid was definitely Di Stefano. Di Stefano's incredible versatility combined speed with superb technique, stamina and an ability to score goals. And 15 minutes before time, Di Stefano leveled the score for Real Madrid. 4 minutes later, Ernesto Grillo restored AC Milan’s lead, but just a minute later Hector Rial scored the Madrid equalizer. On the dying moments of the match, Nils Liedholm merely became the hero of the match when his shot hit the bar. The score was 2-2 something that meant that the European Cup Final would be decided to Extra Time for the first time. Finally, it was Paco Gento who settled the match in the Spanish side's favor, at 3-2, in the second period of extra time.
The final at Brussels' Heysel Stadium was a clash of Europe's heavyweights. Milan proved to be the toughest challenge for Madrid so far but the result was the same. Real Madrid were European Champions for the third year in a row.
Real Madrid were European champions for a third time in 1957/58, yet the campaign was overshadowed by the air tragedy which befell Manchester United FC's Busby Babes in Munich. Eight players were killed, including England internationals Roger Byrne, Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor, when their plane crashed on take-off after refueling following the side's quarter-final victory over FK Crvena Zvezda.
