1986 Intercontinental Cup

The 1986 Intercontinental Cup was the 25th edition of the Intercontinental Cup, an annual association football match between the winners of the European Cup (now called the Champions League) and the Copa Libertadores. The match was played on 14 December 1986 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, between Steaua București of Romania and River Plate of Argentina, both having qualified for the first time as champions of their respective continental tournaments. Watched by a crowd of 62,000, Steaua București scored a goal in the 16th minute when a River Plate player gave the ball to Miodrag Belodedici; however, this was wrongfully ruled as offside by assistant referee Shizuo Takada, and the goal did not count. River Plate struck back in the 28th minute when Norberto "Beto" Alonso took a fast free kick after Juan Gilberto Funes was fouled by Adrian Bumbescu, who would stay arguing with the referee. This surprised the Romanian defence, and Antonio Alzamendi received Alonso's pass and shot into the left post of the keeper, but then scored with a header when the rebound came. Steaua București captain Tudorel Stoica had a chance in the 52nd minute, where he was through on goal against River Plate's keeper but failed to score. The team could not equalise in the second half, giving River Plate its first and only Intercontinental Cup. River Plate manager Héctor Veira would later reflect on the match in an interview, stating that it was very tactical—as he expected—and that it required great concentration. On the opposing side, manager Anghel Iordănescu would reflect on the only goal of the match, stating that they "lost concentration for a second", which is what cost them the match. Both Belodedici and captain Stoica would state in interviews that the goal scored by Belodedici in the 16th minute...