MILAN – Exactly half a century ago today, Inter were about to make history.
It was 27 May 1965 and Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter were set to take on Benfica at the San Siro, their second European Cup final in as many years.
365 days after claiming the club's first major European trophy with a 3-1 win over five-times winners Real Madrid, the Nerazzurri were pitted against the Portuguese giants, themselves champions of Europe in 1961 and 1962.
Inter went into the game on a high, having completed an amazing turnaround against Liverpool in the semi-final (3-1 defeat at Anfield, 3-0 victory at the Meazza), while the Eagles reached the final playing a very modern brand of football, seeing off the likes of Real Madrid on the way. Up front they boasted the competition's joint top scorers Jose Augusto Torres and the legendary Eusebio, with nine goals apiece. They met their match against Herrero's catenaccio.
The final itself, played amidst pouring rain, was settled by a solitary goal, Jair's 42nd-minute strike enough for Inter to live up to their favourites tag and confirm their status as kings of Italy and Europe.
The Brazilian's goal ensured historic back-to-back European victories for Inter and this time they were able to soak up the success in their own stadium, with their own supporters. Interisti in Milan and across Italy joined president Angelo Moratti, Helenio Herrera and those Nerazzurri heroes in celebrating a truly inforgettable night.
Inter were European champions. Again.
27/05/1965
Inter 1-0 Benfica (Jair 42)
Inter: Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti, Bedin, Guarneri, Picchi, Jair, Mazzola, Peirò, Suarez, Corso.
Benfica: Da Costa, Pereira, Cavém, Cruz, Germano, Machado, Neto, Augusto, Eusebio, Torres, Simoes.
