One year after the final in Vienna, and fresh from their remarkable comeback against Liverpool, Helenio Herrera's Inter faced Eusébio's Benfica at San Siro. The lineup featured two changes from the previous year's final: Bedin replaced Tagnin and was given the same task—shadowing Eusébio throughout the match—while Peiró took the place of Milani. The pitch was soaked by heavy rain, yet Eusébio remained virtually unstoppable, forcing Sarti into a series of extraordinary saves. Then, in the 42nd minute, came the decisive moment. Facchetti launched the move, Mazzola exchanged passes with Corso, and the ball reached the onrushing Jair, who struck a firm right-footed shot along the ground. Amid the water, mud, and mounting tension, Benfica goalkeeper Costa Pereira appeared to have an easy collection, but the ball slipped through his hands, rolled between his legs, and into the net: 1–0. In the second half, Inter had a chance to deliver the knockout blow when Mazzola was denied by Costa Pereira and then by the post. Benfica were reduced to ten men after Costa Pereira was injured in that challenge. Substitutions were not yet allowed, so teammate Germano had to take over in goal. Despite playing a man down, Benfica came agonizingly close to equalizing, but Sarti once again proved decisive. In the end, it was Inter who stood atop European football once more, winning the European Cup for the second consecutive year.
INTER-BENFICA 1-0
Goals: 42’ Jair. INTER: Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti, Bedin, Guarneri, Picchi, Jair, Mazzola, Peirò, Suarez, Corso. BENFICA: Costa, Pereira, Cavém, Cruz, Germano, Raul, Neto, Coluna, José Augusto, Torres, Eusébio, Simões.
TEAM SQUAD
Bedin, Bugatti, Burgnich, Canella, Corso, Della Giovanna, Di Vincenzo, Domenighini, Facchetti, Gori, Guarneri, Jair, Landini, Malatrasi, Mazzola, Milani, Peirò, Petroni, Picchi, Sarti, Suarez, Tagnin, Zaglio.