(1960) Real Madrid 5 Peñarol 1

1960 INTERCONTINETAL CUP FINAL

Match summary
The first game of the new club competition took place in Montevideo. Unfortunately, the boggy pitch in the Uruguayan capital marred the game as a spectacle and neither side were able to make the breakthrough.

The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was packed to the rafters for the return game two months later. 120,000 fans filled the ground and the match was broadcast in 13 countries with an estimated television audience of 150 million. Real Madrid flew out of the blocks, racing to a 3-0 lead after just ten minutes thanks to a magnificent brace by Puskas and one from Di Stefano. Herrera and Gento also got in on the act on a memorable night, with the Uruguayans only able to muster a consolation goal from Spencer. Madrid bossed the game to such an extent that the South Americans barely had a look in, being forced to acknowledge their opponents’ superior skills.

Key player
Ferenc Puskas was affectionately nicknamed “The Little Cannon” by the Madrid fans thanks to his fearsome shooting ability. A born goalscorer with a wicked left foot, he could perform wonders with a ball at his feet. “He can control a ball better with his left foot than I can with my hand!” his team-mate and friend Di Stefano was fond of saying.

Puskas, who had an unerring eye for goal and a powerful and accurate shot, seemed to spark into life in and around the box. Universally admired by football fans, the Hungarian’s two goals in the return match of the Intercontinental Cup helped him become the greatest goalscorer of the 20th Century according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). The player was also the first goalscorer in the history of the Intercontinental Cup.

Coach
Miguel Muñoz is a true Madrid legend. As a player he captained Real Madrid to their first three European Cups and as a coach he swept the board. He is the current holder of two records with the Madrid team: the coach who spent most time at the helm (13 years and 6 months), and the coach who amassed the largest haul of trophies (9 la Liga titles, 2 European Cups, 2 Spanish Cups and 1 Intercontinental Cup).

Muñoz was able to get the most out of a generation of players who had already won it all. He also knew how to rebuild the team with the focus on youth, paving the way for future success.

Intercontinental Cup 1960

First leg (3 July 1960) Estadio Centenario Peñarol de Montevideo 0-0 Real Madrid Referee: José Luis Praddaude (ARG) Peñarol de Montevideo: Luis M. Maidana, William Martínez, Milton Alves Da Silva (Salvador), Santiago Pino, Néstor Gonçalvez, Walter Aguerre, Luis A. Cubilla, Carlos A. Linazza, Juan E. Hohberg, Alberto P. Spencer, Carlos Borges. Real Madrid: Rogelio Domínguez, “Marquitos” Alonso, José E. Santamaría, “Pachín” Pérez, J. Vidal, Zárraga, Canario, Del Sol, Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Bueno.

Second leg (4 September 1960) Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Attendance: 120,000) Real Madrid 5-1 Peñarol de Montevideo Goals: Puskas (2’), Di Stefano (3’), Puskas (8’), Herrera (40’), Gento (54’), Spencer (80’) Referee: Aston (ENG) Real Madrid: Rogelio Domínguez, José E. Santamaría, Zárraga, “Marquitos” Alonso, J. Vidal, “Pachín” Pérez, Herrera, Del Sol, Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Gento. Peñarol de Montevideo: Luis M. Maidana, F. Majewski, William Martínez, Santiago Pino, Milton Alves Da Silva (Salvador), Walter Aguerre, Luis A. Cubilla, Carlos A. Linazza, J. E. Hohberg, Alberto P. Spencer, C. Borges.

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