Euro 64 – Classic matches

Spain 2-1 Hungary

The match was played at the Bernabeu stadium and was the first meeting between the two nations for 38 years. The Spaniards took the edge over Hungary, playing their own characteristic brand of fast, tidy attacking football while Hungary, playing a more defensive game of short passes and back passes. Despite the Spaniards dominating possession they failed to produce a clear cut chance in the opening minutes. Ironically it was Albert who came closest for Hungary in the first half which seemed to be their only attack in the Spanish half. It took nearly forty minutes into the first half for the hosts Spain to take the lead as Pereda headed them in front after an Amancio free kick enabled Suarez to get a pin point cross over. Spain came into the second half seeming content to defend their 1-0 goal advantage, all seemed to go according to plan before Bene equalized for Hungary with five minutes remaining. The match went into extra time, and the Spaniards recaptured the lead in the 115th minute, Amancio scored what proved to be the winning goal.

Spain 2-1 USSR  Final

The final played in Madrid was watched by a huge crowd of 120,000. It was an unchanged Spanish team taking on the holders. Spain took the lead in the sixth minute when an Ivanov pass, intercepted by Suarez, was given to the unmarked Pereda in the centre who directed the ball into the empty net. Only one minute later, the Spanish goalkeeper, Iribar, allowed a weak shot from Khusainov to dip beneath his diving body, into the net. Both sides continued to play the match cautiously due to the thundery rain. Pereda came close to putting the Spaniards back in front when Yashin acrobatically saved a close range shot. The Russian defence seemed vulnerable at times. In the 84th minute, Pereda crossed the ball from the touchline for Marcelino to score with a great diving header. This was the Russians first ever defeat in the European nations cup. The hosts Spain were the glorious winners.