30 years since FC Porto thrashed Benfica at Luz: “Magical, unforgettable” | OneFootball

Today marks 30 years since FC Porto’s biggest win away to one of their great Lisbon rivals. On September 18, 1996, the Dragons beat Benfica 5-0 at the old Estádio da Luz in the second leg of the Super Cup, after having won 1-0 at the Estádio das Antas. Artur opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, Edmilson doubled the lead in the 43rd, Jorge Costa made it 3-0 right after the restart, in the 46th, Wetl scored in the 57th, and Drulovic completed the rout in the 85th. Mário Jardel only came on in the 60th minute.

It was a memorable night for FC Porto, then coached by António Oliveira, who had succeeded Bobby Robson that summer in charge of the two-time national champions. Artur, who scored the first goal, recalled that “magical and unforgettable” performance to Record.

“That game came right after our win at San Siro in the Champions League. It was a great match, very close to perfection; it was one of the best games I played in an FC Porto shirt, only better in Milan. My strongest memory from that game is that at the end I was greeted and congratulated by Eusébio — for me, that was something spectacular,” said the former striker, now 56, while recalling his goal and the assist for the second one.

“I scored the first goal in that game, and against the best goalkeeper I ever faced in my career, Michel Preud’Homme, a fantastic keeper — but the truth is I always scored against him. On another occasion, at the Antas, we won 2-0 and I scored both goals... Going back to the match at the Luz, after opening the scoring, I set up the second goal, scored by Edmilson. It was a corner against us, I broke toward Benfica’s goal, left Calado behind, and crossed for Edmilson to make it 2-0,” Artur recalled, with the memory still vivid: “Beating your biggest rival at their place, 5-0, is something spectacular. I scored the first, Edmilson the second, Jorge Costa made it 3-0, Wetl the 4-0, and then Drulovic. I keep that game in my memory. I even remember I played in the number 11 shirt, because in the Super Cup we weren’t using the league numbers. We had come from a 1-0 win at the Antas, with an assist from me for Domingos Paciência.”

The performance helped cement Artur’s status among FC Porto’s iconic figures, something that was once again evident during his recent visit to the Estádio do Dragão, where he received a standing ovation from Porto members and supporters.

“That performance at the Luz was magical and unforgettable. Everyone remembers it, and even when I recently stopped by Porto, people thanked me for the joy I gave them. That is priceless. My president welcomed me into his office, I thanked him for the invitation, but he said: ‘No, we’re the ones who should thank you for all the joy you gave us; this house will always be yours.’ Hearing that is priceless — receiving that tribute is something spectacular,” said the Brazilian.

In that match, FC Porto started with the Pole Wozniak in goal, while Jorge Costa, João Manuel Pinto, and Lula formed the back three. Ahead of them were Sérgio Conceição, Paulinho Santos, Wetl, and Fernando Mendes, with Zahovic supporting Edmilson and Artur. Drulovic, Jardel, and Rui Barros came on from the bench. Lars Eriksson and Barroso remained among the substitutes and were not used by António Oliveira.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.