1973 Intercontinental Cup - Juventus v Independiente

Rome, Italy - Juventus 0v1 Independiente

In 1973 for the first time, the Intercontinental Cup would be decided over 90 minutes in a game on 'neutral' territory.
Ajax had won the European Cup for the 3rd successive season, but as in 1971 decided against taking part in this fixuture officially for Financial reasons, although the brutality from their opponents in Argentina the previous year may well have been the crucial factor in the decision.
European Cup Runners Up Juventus took the place of Ajax, but after lengthy negotiations it was decided that there be just a one off match to decide who would be champions of the world.
The venue of the fixture seemed to give Juventus an advantage as the game would be played in Rome, in the home country of the European side.
Facing these odds was 'The King of Cups' Independiente, who despite having won the Copa Libertadores 4 times, had yet to win the Intercontinental Cup, the Title that gave you the right to the claim of being the best in the World.
Despite the weight of history and the choice of venue against them, Independiente Coach Roberto Ferreiro insisted Juventus could be beaten by his sides superior technique.

The Juventus side contained experienced internationals such as Zoff, Altafini, Bettega & Morini and Independiente had to survive a number of scares as Juventus threatened to open the scoring. Twice in the first half the woodwork came to the rescue of the South American Champions, with one effort hitting the post, with Independiente Keeper Santoro well beaten, and the bar also denied the Italians, with Santoro reacting well to a header from the rebound.
A minute into the second half Juventus were awarded a golden opportunity to take the lead, after the softest of penalties was awarded after nothing more than shoulder to shoulder contact.

Justice prevailed when Cuccureddu blasted the penalty over, and if proved to be a crucial miss after Independiente fashioned a late winner.

The breakthrough came with 10mins remaining and was a well worked move between the relatively inexperienced pairing of Bochini and Bertoni.
The 2 Independiente players were not regulars in the Argentine side that won the Copa Libertadores, but the goal that finally landed Independiente the Intercontinental Cup was "when our careers really got going" Bertoni would go on to say years later.
Bertoni picked up the ball on the halfway line, found Bochini with a pass, who then returned the favour. The ball was played back to Bochini who produced a deft finish over Zoff for the games only goal as 'The King of Cups' finally landed the ultimate prize.