Helenio - An Iron Fist

“Internazionale one, Independiente nil. Corso has scored! Six minutes into extra time!”

The Intercontinental Cup, or World Cup, had existed for four years. The competition was essentially created because the European Cup had become too small for Real Madrid, who had won the first five editions. It was time to establish which team was the strongest in the world: a European side or a South American one. Puskas and Di Stefano's Real had indeed won the inaugural edition, comfortably seeing off Penarol. From then on, however, there were three straight South American triumphs: Uruguay's Penarol got their revenge against Eusebio's Benfica, followed by two successive Santos victories. Rocco's AC Milan also had to bow down to Pelè.

The 1964 European Cup marked a changing of the guard at the top of European football: Real Madrid gave way to Grande Inter, who won 3-1 with a brace from Sandro Mazzola. The Libertadores was won by the combative Argentinians of Independiente, who also took the first leg of the Intercontinental Cup. The format was simple: two matches, one in Europe and one in South America. Goal difference came into play only if the third match ended level, with the venue alternating between the two continents each year.

The first leg in Buenos Aires ended with a 1-0 win for the Argentinians.

The second leg in Milan concluded with a 2-0 win for Herrera's side, with Mazzola and Corso scoring in the opening minutes. In an even-numbered year, the decider, or “bella” as it was known at the time, was played in Madrid. Herrera played his cards close to his chest and had to do without the injured Burgnich and Mazzola. This caused no issues as Malatrasi and Peirò, a Spaniard, came in, also with the aim of winning over at least part of the crowd.

An Independiente board member set the victory bonus at 300 cows, although it was unclear exactly how they would be divided among the 20 members of the squad. The crowd was split in two, with those backing the Argentinians doing so mainly to root against Inter, who had “killed off” Real in the final just a few months earlier. It was a battle of a match, with rain pouring down. Independiente played well, but Inter played better. Mario Corso provided the finishing touch, naturally with his left foot, at the end of a magnificent move. For the first time, an Italian team were world champions. They would do it again the following year. One of the greatest teams in the history of football had just left another mark.