The 1990 Benfica-Marseille, the second leg of the European Champions Cup semi-final, was etched in the golden pages of the scarlet club. Benfica was back, two years later, with the opportunity to gain access to the final and avenge the defeat on penalties with PSV, from the Netherlands, in Stuttgart.  Fate would have it that a Dutchman would once again impose a defeat on the Eagles in the 1990 final, this time with Rijkaard scoring the decisive goal for AC Milan, in Vienna. But, on April 18, 1990, the atmosphere was festive in the vicinity of the old Estádio da Luz, which (officially) housed 120 thousand people. After a 2-1 defeat in Marseille, in the first leg, Benfica had the mission of scoring at least one goal and taking advantage of the now-extinct away goals rule. And that's what happened. A controversial goal by Vata, at 82 minutes, following a corner, with his hand, tied the tie. Something unimaginable these days, with the use of video refereeing. Desporto ao Minuto spoke exclusively with one of the participants of this night that he calls "unforgettable". Vítor Paneira, current coach of Varzim, played in Benfica's midfield.       I remember the last free kick. The stadium was completely silent "That's when the European Marseille began to appear, with coach Bernard Tapie. We lost 2-1 in Marseille, we were very good in the first half. The second half was devastating for Marseille, who turned the result around. In the second leg, the goal we needed to turn the game around happened, I imagine there were 130 or 140 thousand people in that stadium. Before, everything was more relaxed", he begins by recalling. In addition to the famous goal, there was a moment that marked Vítor Paneira: "It was an incredible game. I remember the last free kick, in a frontal position. They had a player, Jean-Pierre Papin, who was excellent at set pieces. The stadium was completely silent, you could even hear the player's boot hitting the ball. When it goes over the goal, that was... That's when we were sure we were going to the final", he said. "It was incredible, if you see the images, it's still chilling today. For us, who were there, we will never forget the game, because it was the presence in yet another final. We were in two European finals in the 80s", something that would not be "impossible" for Benfica today, but "very rare", says Paneira.   "Vata says it was on his shoulder and not on his arm, but he clearly touched it with his hand" The goal move, at 82 minutes, enrages the Marseillais and delights the Benfica fans, almost 34 years later. They even threatened to kill Vata, he revealed, who continues to deny that he played the ball with his hand. Paneira witnessed the moment of discord 'in loco'. "I'm behind Vata and, if you see in the images, if Vata didn't touch the ball, it would probably come to me. You can clearly see that it's with your hand. He keeps denying... By chance, even today [Tuesday] I saw an interview with Vata on Instagram and he continues to deny it, he says it was on his shoulder and not on his arm, but he clearly touched it with his hand", reiterates Paneira. Asked if the elimination was 'poetic justice' after this irregular goal, Vítor Paneira rejects: "Some say it was Bélla Guttman's bad luck [laughs]. It has to do with the game, tactically it was very balanced. There was a moment of imbalance, often football is made of luck, happiness. We won with a goal that would be disallowed today but, at that time, neither the referee nor we have a complete notion. It was a lost final, we were all sad, but football is like that", he analyzes. Paneira played for Benfica between 1987 and 1995, consistently being one of the most used. He played many games for the Eagles, but the semi-final was special. "It was one of Benfica's great games, one of Benfica's European nights. At three or four in the afternoon, the stadium was completely sold out. The atmosphere that was lived, of the Champions semi-final, is something special, and it was all that. The atmosphere, winning the game, the return to a final two years later. We ended up playing against one of the best teams ever, with Eriksson, who is facing a big problem as we all know. It was memorable, unforgettable, it's still chilling today", he concludes. 

[The protest of the Marseille players after Vata's goal. Vítor Paneira is next to the referee]© Getty Images  
Vítor Paneira favors Benfica, in 2024

From 1990 to 2024, a lot has changed. The two teams meet again, no longer in the Champions League, and in a phase before the semi-finals. In anticipation of Thursday's match, held at Estádio da Luz, Vítor Paneira highlights Benfica's evolution in Europe.

"We have a Benfica that, from the last group stage, has been growing, has been more competent in European competitions. Benfica is undefeated in the Europa League, it is a competent team that will discuss the game and has all the conditions to win. We know that Marseille is not going through one of its best moments but it has enormous quality. Even though the French say that Marseille is the favorite, I think it's Benfica's, due to its history, its individuality. It depends a lot on the game here, how the team will behave and the advantage it can take to the second leg", he predicts. 

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