These contests were often not for the faint hearted. Alf Ramsey had controversially described Argentina as ‘animals’ at the 1966 World Cup. Celtic and Racing Club had also become embroiled in a feisty affair a year earlier when the first leg at the Bombonera, River Plate’s ground, had been fractious to say the least.
Nobby Stiles was sent off and would miss the return game as anticipation built for the tie, with Estudiantes holding a 1-0 lead thanks to Marcos Conigliaro’s winner. Juan Ramon Veron doubled the South American’s aggregate advantage early on and, despite Willie Morgan’s last-minute equaliser and a disallowed effort seconds after the final whistle by Brian Kidd, the trophy went Estudiantes’ way for the first and only time – even if this team, the best in their history, would go on to win the next two Copa Libertadores finals.