The 1963 European Cup final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on 22 May 1963 to determine the winners of the 1962âÂÂ63 European Cup.
The match was contested by AC Milan of Italy and two-time defending champions Benfica of Portugal, making it the first European Cup final not to feature a team from Spain.
Milan won the trophy for the first time thanks to a brace from José Altafini, which gave them a 2âÂÂ1 victory.
Benfica had won the previous two editions of the competition, defeating Barcelona 3âÂÂ2 in the 1961 final and Real Madrid 5âÂÂ3 in the 1962 final.
AC Milan had contested the final once previously, losing 3âÂÂ2 to Real Madrid in 1958.
This was the eighth European Cup final and was the first to not feature a Spanish club. Real Madrid had contested six of the previous seven finals while Barcelona represented Spain in the 1961 final â the only previous final not to feature Real Madrid.
Benfica qualified for the competition as defending champions and they were given a bye in the preliminary round.
In the first round, Benfica faced IFK Norrköping of Sweden. After a 1âÂÂ1 draw in the first leg away from home, Benfica won the second leg 5âÂÂ1 at home to advance 6âÂÂ2 on aggregate.
Benfica then faced Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia in the quarter-finals. After Benfica won the first leg 2âÂÂ1 at home, the teams played out a goalless draw in the second leg in Prague as Benfica advanced.
In the semi-finals, Benfica faced Feyenoord of the Netherlands. After a goalless first leg in Rotterdam, Benfica won the second leg 3âÂÂ1 at home to advance to the final.
Milan qualified for the competition as winners of the 1961âÂÂ62 Serie A.
In the preliminary round, Milan defeated Union Luxembourg of Luxembourg 8âÂÂ0 a home in the first leg and 6âÂÂ0 away in the second leg to advance 14âÂÂ0 on aggregate.
Ipswich Town of England were Milan's opponents in the first round. After winning the first leg 3âÂÂ0 at home, Milan lost the second leg away from home 2âÂÂ1 to advance 4âÂÂ2 on aggregate.
Milan then faced Galatasaray of Turkey in the quarter-finals. After winning the first leg 3âÂÂ1 away from home, Milan won the second leg 5âÂÂ0 at home to advance 8âÂÂ1 on aggregate.
In the semi-finals, Milan's opponents were Dundee of Scotland. A 5âÂÂ1 win in the first leg at home was followed up by a 1âÂÂ0 defeat in the second leg away from home as Milan advanced to the final 5âÂÂ2 on aggregate.
Milan won the match 2âÂÂ1.