2012–13 UEFA Europa League — 42nd season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA
Chelsea became the first English club to win all three major European trophies by defeating Benfica in the 2013 UEFA Europa League final.
Key Facts
- Season number
- 42nd UEFA Europa League season
- Final date
- 15 May 2013
- Final venue
- Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
- Final score
- Chelsea 2–1 Benfica
- Defending champions
- Atlético Madrid (eliminated in Round of 32)
- Chelsea's historic distinction
- First English club to win Champions League, Europa League, and Cup Winners' Cup
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Chelsea entered the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League at the Round of 32 after finishing third in their Champions League group stage. Atlético Madrid, the defending champions, were eliminated by Rubin Kazan at the same round, opening the field for a new winner.
The 42nd UEFA Europa League season concluded with a final at the Amsterdam Arena on 15 May 2013, contested between Portuguese club Benfica and English club Chelsea. Chelsea won 2–1, claiming their first Europa League title in what was the 4th edition under the tournament's rebranded name.
Chelsea's victory made them the fourth club—after Juventus, Ajax, and Bayern Munich—and the first English club to hold all three major European trophies: the Champions League, the Europa League, and the Cup Winners' Cup, marking a significant milestone in the club's European history.