Real Madrid's 2–0 victory over Fiorentina made them the first club to successfully defend the European Cup title.
Key Facts
- Final score
- Real Madrid 2–0 Fiorentina
- Goalscorers
- Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento (2nd half)
- Venue
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
- Referee
- Leo Horn (Netherlands)
- Attendance context
- First final played at the winning team's home ground
- Historical milestone
- First team to defend the European Cup
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Real Madrid had won the inaugural European Cup in 1955–56 and entered the 1956–57 edition as defending champions, facing Fiorentina of Italy in the final held at their own Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The match drew attention partly due to the unusual circumstance of the holders playing at home.
On 30 May 1957, Real Madrid defeated Fiorentina 2–0, with both goals scored in the second half by Alfredo Di Stéfano and Francisco Gento. The match was marred by controversy when referee Leo Horn disregarded a linesman's offside flag and awarded a penalty for a foul on Enrique Mateos that appeared to have occurred outside the penalty area.
By claiming the trophy, Real Madrid became the first club to successfully defend the European Cup. The final was also the first of four occasions in the competition's history where one side played in its own home stadium, establishing a precedent that would recur in the 1965, 1984, and 2012 finals.