THIS YEAR IN 1972
Cup classics, Congolese delight and a cameo from Mourinho’s dad – the 1970s kicked off with a bang
BEARS ROAR IN BARCELONA
After Celtic lose in the last four of the European Cup, Rangers claim the Cup Winners’ Cup in May’s Camp Nou final. “Woof! In it goes,” screams commentator Archie Macpherson as Colin Stein scores in a 3-2 win over Dynamo Moscow. Willie Johnston’s brace proves enough as the Soviets set up a tense finale, but the glory is bittersweet after a pitch invasion causes the trophy ceremony to be scrapped and the ‘Barcelona Bears’ are later banned from defending their crown.
SANGRIAS ALL ROUND!
Brian Clough leads Derby to a maiden First Division title in May, five years after taking charge of the then second-tier outfit. The Rams are sunning themselves in Majorca as news of their triumph filters through, with title rivals Liverpool and Leeds finishing their league campaigns a week later than County due to fixture congestion. “They played four and half minutes of injury time at Molineux,” Clough – who preferred to visit the Isles of Scilly with his parents than Spain – said of Leeds’ 2-1 defeat away to Wolves. “It seemed like four and half years.”
A VICTORY FOR INDEPENDENCE
July’s final of the Brazil Independence Cup – marking 150 years of Brazilian independence from Portugal – is conveniently won by the hosts against Portugal thanks to a goal from Jairzinho (right). The Republic of Ireland are in a 20-team field, with their group match against Portugal a ‘special one’ for Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix, Jose’s father, who makes his sole international outing.
TOTAL FOOTBALL 2-0 CATENACCIO
Johan Cruyff’s second-half double means Ajax retain the European Cup in May as they see off Inter Milan at De Kuip – the home of domestic rivals Feyenoord. Nerazzurri goalkeeper Ivano Bordon collides into his own defender, Tarcisio Burgnich, to present the easiest of openers to Cruyff, who later powers home a header from a free-kick. With the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup and European Cup secured, Ajax go on to add the Intercontinental Cup and the inaugural UEFA Super Cup to their trophy cabinet. Impressive.
THE GERMANS GET REVENGE
West Germany return to Wembley for the first time since the 1966 World Cup Final in April and humble England 3-1 in qualifying for the summer’s European Championship finals. A star showing from Gunter Netzer prompts Franz Beckenbauer (below, right) to enthuse afterwards: “I’ve never shared in a finer West German performance – the moves, idea and execution all happened.” Two months later they win the Euros, and two years after that the World Cup as well.
KINGS OF AFRICA
Congo lift the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in March. Ousting host nation Cameroon in the semis, the Red Devils trail in the final to a Mali side who’d drawn all three of their group games, but hit back with three goals in seven minutes. Francois M’pele (above) is named the tournament’s top performer and becomes a star at Paris Saint-germain, though the winning strike in the final is his last goal for his country.
“NOW TUDOR’S GONE DOWN FOR NEWCASTLE...”
Non-league Hereford cause one of the FA Cup’s greatest giant-killings in February and thrust young BBC commentator John Motson into the spotlight. A mud-caked Edgar Street cannot stage the third-round replay against First Division Newcastle until fourth-round day. Malcolm Macdonald appears to have finally halted the Bulls’ charge, but Ronnie Radford’s rocket and Ricky George’s extra-time strike spark Parka-clad pitch invasions. “It could have gone in the car park,” Yorkshireman Radford said of his screamer. “As soon as I hit it, I were on me way.”