Estádio da Luz
Encyclopedia
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. It is also called A Catedral ("The Cathedral") by Benfica's supporters.
The ground is named after "Our Lady of the Light" (Nossa Senhora da Luz, or more commonly, Luz), which is the name of the Lisbon parish where the stadium stands. "Da luz," or "of light," is a common concept in Portuguese Catholic tradition
Roman Catholicism in Portugal
The Roman Catholic Church in Portugal is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian organization....
, and basically translates as those "in the presence of God." The people of Lisbon often refer to the original stadium, demolished beginning in 2002, as simply "the light," but the common English name for the stadium became "the stadium of light."
It hosted several matches in the 2004 European Championship, including the final. The previous Benfica stadium (also called Estádio da Luz and one of the largest stadiums in the world with 120,000 seats) was demolished and the new one was built for the tournament with an official capacity of 65,400. Populous designed the stadium to use as much natural light as possible. The original Estádio da Luz, opened in 1954, hosted the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup final before a crowd of well over 120,000, its absolute capacity in those years. Before that final, it also hosted the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final held in Portugal with an impressive attendance of 130,000. The original stadium replaced the Estádio do Campo Grande
Estádio do Campo Grande
Estádio de Campo Grande was a multi-use stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. It was used mostly for football matches and hosted the home matches of S.L. Benfica. The stadium was able to hold 25,000 people and opened in 1912, however Benfica didn't move in until 1941 after Estádio das Amoreiras was...
.
In 1999, Portugal was selected as the host of the UEFA Euro 2004 Championship. After many false starts, Benfica presented a proposal for re-building their stadium in order to enable it to become the main venue for that championship.
In October 2003, the stadium opened to a sell out crowd as Benfica took on Nacional Montevideo of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
in an exhibition match.
Benfica return
Immediately, Benfica's aspirations seemed revived. In its first season, Benfica went on to conquer the Taça de PortugalTaça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
(Cup of Portugal). The Encarnados first trophy in eight years came after beating an impressive Porto side 2–1. FC Porto were, at the time, managed by José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
. Simão
Simão Sabrosa
Simão Pedro Fonseca Sabrosa, OIH , commonly known as Simão , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Beşiktaş J.K. in Turkey, mainly as a left winger - he can also play as a forward - with dribbling and set piece skills as primary attributes.Having played in his country for two of the three...
was the hero in extra time as Benfica battled back from a goal down to claim the Taça. In the stadium's second season, the team recaptured the title of champions of Portugal after 11 long years. The new stadium was the venue for a historic 1–0 victory over eternal rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal before a 1–1 draw away at Boavista sealed the championship. Following the final whistle, thousands of fans packed into the stadium to celebrate the campeonato (championship).
Architect Damon Lavelle designed the stadium to focus on light and transparency, offering an incentive to name the stadium "Estádio da Luz" (meaning "Stadium of Light" in Portuguese) as the original stadium was named after the neighbourhood the old ground was built on. The polycarbonate roof of the stadium allows the Sun's rays to penetrate it, lighting the stadium. The roof, which is supported by tie beams of four steel arches, seems to float on the underlying tribunes. The arches measure 43 metres in height and help to define the look of the stadium after having been shaped to be similar to the wavy profile of the three tiers of the stadium.
2004
- SuperCup – Benfica 1–0 Sporting CP
A late goal, attributed to Luisão
Luisão
Ânderson Luís da Silva , aka Luisão , is a Brazilian footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a central defender....
despite Sporting's goalkeeper apparently fumbling the ball into his own net, handed Benfica a win that ensured they would go into the final match day with their fate in their own hands.
- UEFA European Championship FinalUEFA Euro 2004 FinalThe final of UEFA Euro 2004 was a football match played on 4 July 2004 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal to determine the winner of UEFA Euro 2004. The match featured tournament hosts Portugal, who went into the match as favourites, and Greece, playing in only their second European...
– PortugalPortugal national football teamThe Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
0–1 GreeceGreece national football teamThe Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
Hosts Portugal came into the match as hot favourites, though it was the minnows Greece who came away with the glory. Angelos Charisteas
Angelos Charisteas
Angelos Charisteas was born on 9 February 1980 in Strymoniko, Serres, but originates from Mani. He is a Greek football player who currently plays as a striker for Panetolikos F.C....
headed his side in front in the second half and the Greeks held on for a shock win.
2005
- UEFA Champions League – Benfica 2–1 Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Benfica went into the final match of the UEFA Champions League group stages needing a win against group favourites Manchester United. Benfica had never previously beaten the Reds of ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, not even during the days of EusébioEusébioEusébio da Silva Ferreira, GCIH, GCM , commonly known simply as Eusébio, is a retired Mozambican-born Portuguese football forward. He is considered one of the best footballers of all-time by the IFFHS, experts and fans...
. Benfica's chances of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League seemed limited after Paul ScholesPaul ScholesPaul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
gave Manchester United Football Club a 6th minute lead. But goals from Geovanni and a deflected shot from BetoBetoBeto may refer to a person with the name Alberto, Albertino, Berthony, Roberto or Humberto, usually short for 'berto.-Brazilian footballers:*Alberto Antônio de Paula *Gilberto Galdino dos Santos *André Roberto Soares da Silva...
saw Benfica come back to claim a famous victory.
- Portuguese LigaPortuguese LigaThe Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
– Benfica 4–0 União de Leira. Nuno GomesNuno GomesNuno Miguel Soares Pereira Ribeiro , commonly known as Nuno Gomes, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for S.C. Braga as a striker.He was given the nickname Gomes during childhood after F.C...
scored a hat trickHat TrickHat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
that helped Benfica to their biggest win of the season.
2006
- UEFA Champions League – Benfica 1–0 LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
After being drawn against reigning European Champions Liverpool, no one expected Benfica to pose much threat. Central defender Luisão sprung a surprise when he headed in a winner in the 84th minute to see Benfica win 1–0. Benfica won the return leg 2–0 to claim a famous aggregate victory.
- Superliga – Benfica 1–0 Porto
After ending their 14 year wait for a victory away at Porto, Benfica needed to beat their eternal rivals once again to maintain their challenge for the Championship. Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert is a former French footballer. He was a left winger, and has played for the French national football team....
scored his first league goal for Benfica with a long range, bending free kick. Benfica hung on to claim a famous double. In a game to open the season, Benfica beat Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
2–0 thanks to goals by Fabrizio Miccoli
Fabrizio Miccoli
Fabrizio Miccoli is an Italian football striker who currently is playing for Serie A team Palermo.-Early years:After playing at youth level with Milan, he returned to his native Apulia in 1995 to join Serie C1 team Casarano, where he made his professional debut at the age of 17...
and Marcel
Marcel
Marcel may refer to:* Marcel , a novel by Erwin Mortier* Marcel , people with the given name Marcel* Marcel, California, in Kern County* Marcel , a German entry for Eurovision 1963People with surname Marcel:...
.
2010
- Superliga – Benfica 2–1 Rio Ave
Benfica were one point away from their 32nd championship. Thanks to the two goals scored by Óscar Cardozo
Óscar Cardozo
Óscar René Cardozo Marín is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker.Known for his powerful left-foot shot and free-kick skills, he first gained notoriety whilst playing for Newell's Old Boys, which led to a move to Benfica, where he scored more than 100...
, Benfica were able to celebrate their 32nd championship, after a five year wait . Cardozo also was able to win the Portuguese Liga Top Scorer after scoring 26 goals, one more goal than FC Porto's Falcao
Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao García Zárate , commonly known simply as Falcao, is a Colombian football striker who currently plays for Atlético Madrid....
, who scored 25 goals.
Portugal national football team
The following national teamPortugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
matches were held in the stadium.
| # | Date | Score | Opponent | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 16 June 2004 | 2–0 | Euro 2004 Group Stage | |
| 2. | 24 June 2004 | 2–2 | Euro 2004 Quarter-Finals | |
| 3. | 4 July 2004 | 0–1 | Euro 2004 Final | |
| 4. | 4 June 2005 | 2–0 | World Cup 2006 qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for UEFA teams. A total of 51 teams took part, divided in 8 Groups - five groups of 6 teams each and three groups of 7 teams each - competing for 13 places in the World Cup... |
|
| 5. | 8 September 2007 | 2–2 | Euro 2008 qualifying | |
| 6. | 10 October 2009 | 3–0 | World Cup 2010 qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of... |
|
| 7. | 14 November 2009 | 1–0 | World Cup 2010 UEFA play-offs | |
| 8. | 17 November 2010 | 4–0 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 9. | 4 June 2011 | 1–0 | Euro 2012 qualifying UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying The qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 is a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, to be held in Poland and Ukraine... |
|
| 10. | 15 November 2011 | 6–2 | Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs The UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying play-off ties were played over two legs, with the first legs on 11 November and the second legs on 15 November 2011... |
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