Fight Club: The Santiago set-to

LEONEL SANCHEZ CHILE MARIO DAVID ITALY

The son of a boxer, Universidad de Chile’s winger had genealogy on his side going into a debut bout at the 1962 World Cup. Sanchez came out of his corner swinging in the hosts’ second match of the finals.

The Chileans were incensed over Italian journalists’ gripes about local facilities, and the first foul was committed after only 12 seconds. Sanchez later lamped Humberto Maschio and broke his nose.

Sick of opposite number David’s attacks on his ankles, Sanchez hit him with “one of the neatest left hooks I’ve ever seen,” according to the BBC commentator. But Essex referee Ken Aston still did nothing.

Jimmy Hill in The Observer praised his “passable imitation of Rocky Marciano”, while the BBC’S David Coleman decried the “most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football.” Harder than a coffin nail, the right-back provided the defensive steel in Milan’s 1961-62 title triumph and the following year’s European Cup win against Benfica. Loved a scrap, usually when provoked.

Fight No.1 took place just five minutes in. Italy’s Giorgio Ferrini was sent off seven minutes later for his hip-high off-the-ball kick at Honorino Landa, only leaving the pitch, wildly protesting, led by policemen.

David sought retribution. When the ball was cleared onto Sanchez’s chest in the 41st minute, the full-back flew through the air and kicked Sanchez in the head. Ken clocked this one and David was off.

“We Italians were the victims,” moaned David, who later became “great friends” with Sanchez. “We weren’t throwing any punches but we were taking them... and the shameless Aston sent me off, too.”