UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Atlético's previous European Cup final

While opponents Real Madrid CF will feature in their 13th European Cup final in Lisbon, Club Atlético de Madrid have been in just one – and that ended in heartbreak.

Atlético's previous European Cup final
Atlético's previous European Cup final ©UEFA.com

1973/74: FC Bayern München 1-1 Club Atlético de Madrid (aet)
Club Atlético de Madrid 0-4 FC Bayern München (replay)
Atlético ousted Galatasaray SK, FC Dinamo Bucureşti and FK Crvena zvezda en route to a semi-final with Celtic FC, where they survived a first leg they ended with eight men to win through 2-0 on aggregate. That looked to have set then on their way to a final fairy tale when Luis Aragonés's free-kick them into a 114th-minute lead at the Heysel Stadium.

There was a twist in store, however, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck levelling in the last minute. That prompted a replay back in Brussels two days later and this time Atlético had no answer, Uli Hoeness and Gerd Müller scoring twice each to end their dreams.

José Luis Capón – a three-time Liga winner with Atlético, who once said: "I was born Atlético, lived Atlético and was also lucky to play for Atlético" – reflected on an opportunity missed. "It was nobody's fault that we drew, [but] it was a pity as we practically had the European Cup in our hands," he said.

Selected for you