Sporting Lisbon's team pose with the trophy at the end of the 'Taca de Portugal' (Portugal's Cup) final football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Jamor stadium in Oeiras, on May 25, 2025. Sporting won 1-3. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)
Fifty-eight years on from that glorious day, the green and white hoops were again celebrating at the Estadio Nacional on the outskirts of Lisbon.
The design of the classic stadium has barely altered since the greatest momentum Celtic’s history, this afternoon the two great clubs from the capital met in the Portuguese Cup Final.
After a 1-1 draw Sporting scored in the 99th and 120th minutes to secure the double after clinching the title last weekend.
My Dad’s postcard home to his parents…????? pic.twitter.com/naRmMG2Z4p
— Smelltheglove (@smelltheglove7) May 25, 2025
With each passing year the lure of Lisbon grows stronger for Celtic fans, every weekend there are fans on a pilgrimage, amazed to see that the scenes etched on their minds are still real in 2025.
The tree line around the stadium is the same, the white terraces have been filled in by white seats while the old school podium where Billy McNeill lifted the trophy remains exactly as it was.
There has been recent suggestions that the stadium is due to be renovated but there are no definite plans to change the layout.
Although the Estadio Nacional is now a blast from the past compared to the modern stadiums of Sporting and Benfica it retains a special appeal to football fans even though there is a well used athletics track around the perimeter.
View from the Sporting Lisbon end at todays Taça de Portugal Final at the Estádio Nacional ?? pic.twitter.com/8Ii7UQTG5s
— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) May 25, 2025
