Marseille's European Dream Shattered by Vata's Hand
Benfica Seals Victory with Controversial Penalty
On April 18, 1990, a controversial handball by Vata, a SL Benfica defender, denied Olympique de Marseille a place in the European Cup final. The incident remains a painful memory for Marseille fans, who had hoped to see their team lift the prestigious trophy for the first time.
Benfica's Late Goals Secure Victory
The match was the second leg of the semi-final, and Benfica had won the first leg 1-0. Marseille needed a win in front of their home crowd to progress to the final. However, Benfica scored a late goal through Rafa Silva, and Angel Di Maria added a second in injury time to seal the victory.
Di Meco's Remembrance
Eric Di Meco, a Marseille defender at the time, recalls the night as one of the most painful of his career. "It was a very difficult moment for us," he said. "We had worked so hard to get to that stage, and we felt that we had been robbed."
Vata's Apology
Vata, who is now a youth coach in Australia, has since apologized for his actions. "I didn't mean to do it," he said. "It was just a reflex. I'm sorry for the pain that I caused to Marseille and their fans."
Conclusion
The incident remains a source of anger and frustration for Marseille supporters, who believe that they were denied a fair chance to win the European Cup. However, it also serves as a reminder of the passion and excitement that European football can generate.
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