196566 European Cup

The 1965–66 European Cup was the 11th season of UEFA's premier club football tournament. Real Madrid won the competition by defeating Partizan 2–1 in a close final at Heysel Stadium on 11 May 1966. Inter Milan, the defending champions, were eliminated by Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

A total of 31 teams participated, with all associations represented by one team for the first time since the tournament's inception. Several clubs made their debut, including Benfica, who recorded the highest aggregate win in European Cup history by defeating Stade Dudelange 18–0 (10–0 at home). Manchester United and Stade Dudelange returned to the competition after a seven-year absence.

In the preliminary round, teams traveled varying distances due to the lack of geographic division into pots. Real Madrid advanced with a 6–2 aggregate win, while Benfica's 18–0 victory was historic. In the first round, Manchester United won 5–1 against Anderlecht, who later forfeited their second leg after concerns about the state of Brandywell Stadium.

The quarter-finals saw Inter Milan defeat Roma 5–1 on aggregate and Real Madrid advance with a 7–3 win over Benfica. In the semi-finals, Real Madrid defeated Partizan 2–1 on aggregate, while Inter Milan lost to Manchester United.

The final at Heysel Stadium was won by Real Madrid, marking their sixth European Cup title. The tournament also saw several teams make their debuts and others return after long absences.