Independiente were at the start of an era of domination of South American Football, their 1972 Copa Libertadores triumph earned them a tilt at the World Crown, but they would go on to win the Libertadores Title in 73,74 and 75, truly earning their nickname "The King of Cups".
Their opponents were an Ajax team that were widely recognised as one of the greatest footballing sides ever brandishing a style of Football often referred to as "Total Football". They were perhaps at the peak of their golden era, having just completed the Treble by retaining the European Cup alongside lifting the Dutch National Championship and the KNVB Cup domestically.
Unlike the previous season, Ajax decided to accept the invitation to compete for the Intercontinental Cup, although by the end of the 1st leg in Argentina, they probably regretted their decision.
1st Leg - Avellaneda, Argentina - Independiente 1v1 Ajax
It was a long journey for the Amsterdam side to travel to South America, in fact the European Champions decided to do a spot of training on the runway during their stop off at the Cape Verde Islands (see below)
Ajax's reception in Argentina was hostile, with Johan Cruyff receiving death threats, met with indifference by the local Police forcing Ajax Coach Stefan Kovacs to arrange his own security for Cruyff.Independiente fans added to the welcome for the visitors, gathering outside the Ajax Team Hotel in an attempt to disturb the sleep of the European Champions.
Despite the hostility, on the pitch Cruyff gave Ajax an early lead after just 5mins, but by the 26th minute Independiente had dealt with the problem of the legendary Dutchman, when he had to be substituted following a brutal challenge from Independiente forward Mircoli.
Ajax were so taken aback by the rough play from the Argentinean side, that at half time Kovacs had to persuade his players to come out for the 2nd half.
No European side had ever registered a victory on South American soil in this fixture, and Independiente ensured that the record continued when Sa levelled the score on the night with 9 mins remaining.
Kovacs made his feeling felt after the match, stating Cruyff would be out of action for a fortnight, with Horst Blankenburg also nursing wounds. Kovacs went on to say "European Football is much more important than this competition. Whatever happens we will not come here (Argentina) again".
True to his word Ajax passed up the opportunity of appearing in a second match against Independiente in 1973, after both sides retained their Continental Titles the following year, leaving European Cup Runners Up Juventus to play the Argentines.
2nd Leg - Amsterdam, Holland - Ajax 3v0 Independiente (Ajax win 4v1 on aggregate)
Much ill feeling had been vented to the media from the Dutch side following the match in Argentina, but if there were no obvious signs that Ajax had been deterred from their mission.
Independiente had no answer to a superior Ajax side, as the Dutch masters ran out 3v0 winners to clinch their first Intercontinental Cup.
In the early stages the Argentines were struggling to retain the ball, against a strong, skillful Ajax side, but it was the visitors who created the first chance when Pastoriza burst through the Ajax defence, but his touch was too heavy and Stuy in goal for Ajax smothered the danger.
Independiente would pay the price for missing their chance to take the lead as Ajax went straight up the other end to take the lead after 11mins. Neeskens exchanged passes with Krol before holding off the attention of an Independiente player, eventually slotting home.
Independiente were forced into adopting a more assertive stance on the game, but Ajax continued to enjoy the lions share of the ball, with players all over the pitch displaying their comfort on the ball.
Like the 1st leg Ajax almost lost their goalscorer to injury as Neeskens was caught by a late challenge, just seconds into the 2nd half, but managed to finish the game.
Ajax should have made it 2v0 in the early stages of the 2nd half, but a left wing cross somehow evaded an unmarked Ajax player, to keep Independiente in the tie.
The visiting goal was in danger again soon after when Independiente Keeper Santoro could not hold onto a long range effort, but the ball was scrambled away by his team mates.But Independiente could not hold out for much longer and Ajax's lead was doubled when Cruyff beat the Independiente offside trap before unselfishly squaring the ball to Johnny Rep who could not miss.
The visitors almost reduced the arrears straight away, this time Stuy could not hold onto a long range effort, but the South American Champions could not convert the rebound.
With nothing to lose Independiente pushed forward and enjoyed their best spell of the game although in truth, Ajax never looked like losing their lead, and came close to replicating their 2nd goal as Cruyff once again beat the Argentine offside trap before squaring for a team mate, only for the effort on goal to strike the post.
In the dying moments of the game Johnny Rep got his 2nd of the game as he burst through Independiente's now porous defence, taking it round the Keeper before converting, to wrap up a comprehensive victory
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