1967 Intercontinental Cup

1967 Intercontinental Cup
Racing was the first Argentine team champion of the world
EventIntercontinental Cup
2–2 on points
Racing won after a play-off
First leg
Date18 October 1967 (1967-10-18)
VenueHampden Park, Glasgow
RefereeJuan Gardeazábal (Spain)
Attendance103,437
Second leg
Date1 November 1967 (1967-11-01)
VenueEl Cilindro, Avellaneda
RefereeEsteban Marino (Uruguay)
Attendance120,000
Play-off
Date4 November 1967 (1967-11-04)
VenueEstadio Centenario, Montevideo
RefereeRodolfo Pérez Osorio (Paraguay)
Attendance70,152
1966
1968

The 1967 Intercontinental Cup was a football tie held over three legs in 1967 between the winners of the 1966–67 European Cup, The Celtic Football Club from Scotland, and Racing Club from Argentina, winners of the 1967 Copa Libertadores.

The first leg was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, with Celtic winning 1–0 through a Billy McNeill header. The game however was marred by Racing's incessant cynical fouling and spitting. The return match at El Cilindro in Avellaneda was also acrimonious, with Celtic's Ronnie Simpson struck by an object thrown from the crowd just before the start of the match. He was badly dazed and had to be replaced by John Fallon. Celtic again took the lead, but Racing fought back to win 2–1 through goals from Norberto Raffo and Juan Carlos Cárdenas.

The series of games went to a play-off match in Montevideo, Uruguay. The game was a shambles, exacerbated by Racing's continued cynical fouling, Celtic's loss of composure and discipline, and the incompetence of the Paraguayan referee who was clearly out of his depth. Riot police had to intervene on the pitch several times as six players were sent off; four from Celtic and two from Racing. Celtic's Bertie Auld however refused to leave the field on being "sent off" and still played for the whole game. Racing scored the only goal of the game in the second half through Cárdenas, winning the game 1–0 and the Intercontinental Cup series, becoming the first Argentinian holders of the trophy.