 Ajax players celebrate winning the Intercontinental Cup in 1972 | |
| Founded | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Abolished | 2004 |
| Region | Europe (UEFA) South America (CONMEBOL) |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Last champions |  Porto (2nd title) |
| Most successful team(s) |  Nacional Peñarol  Boca Juniors  Real Madrid  A.C. Milan (3 titles) |
The Intercontinental Cup was an association football club competition contested annually from 1960 to 2004 between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores. [1] The competition was endorsed by both the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL) and, until 1979, it was played over two legs. From 1980, its format was changed to a single match traditionally held in Tokyo, Japan, due to its new sponsorship. The Intercontinental Cup was discontinued in 2004 in favour of the FIFA Club World Cup, which includes the champion clubs from all of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) member confederations. [2]
Contents
- Winners
- Matches over two legs
- Single-leg matches
- Performances
- By club
- By country
- By confederation
- Man of the Match
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Bibliography
In its first nine editions, the competition's winner was decided on a points system; if necessary, a play-off match would be held to determine the outcome in the event of a draw. In 1968, the system was changed so that aggregate score would dictate the winning club. The away goals rule was applied if the tie was level after both legs. [3]
Nacional and Peñarol (Uruguay), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Real Madrid (Spain), and A.C. Milan (Italy) hold the record for the most victories, each team having won the competition three times; Milan and Independiente (Argentina) have the most runner-up places (four). Overall, 25 different clubs won the competition during its 45 editions. Argentinian clubs won the most cups, with nine trophies among them; Italian clubs won the second most (seven), and Brazilian teams are third with six victories. [4] The most successful confederation is CONMEBOL, teams representing the confederation having won the competition 22 times and been runners-up 21 times. Teams representing the European football confederation UEFA have won the competition 21 times and been runners-up 22 times. [5] The last Intercontinental Cup was won by 2004 European champions Porto of Portugal, who beat Colombian side Once Caldas by 8–7 in a penalty shootout, after the match finished 0–0. [6]
