Home comforts bring second title for Madrid

To the delight of 124,000 spectators at the Santiago Bernabéu, a second-half penalty by Alfredo Di Stéfano and a sublime chip by Francisco Gento ensured Real Madrid CF retained the European Champion Clubs' Cup by defeating ACF Fiorentina.

Despite the advantage of having a boisterous home crowd egging on their every move, Madrid allowed the Italian side freedom of possession during the opening minutes, as both teams tentatively weighed each other up. Once settled in however, José Villalonga's troops stamped their authority on the match and began attacking the rival goal with fervour.

Di Stéfano, Raymond Kopa and José Rial pounded Fiorentina's goal but were met by goalkeeper Giuliano Sarti, who showed that he was in outstanding form with a clutch of commendable saves including a superb acrobatic leap to deny Gento.

The match continued along similar lines during the second half with a stubborn Fiorentina blocking each Madrid advance. However, the home side's luck changed when Dutch referee Leo Horn pointed straight to the spot after Enrique Mateos was brought down in the area in the 70th minute.

Sarti darted off his line but was powerless to stop Di StÈfano's penalty, rifled home with gusto to put Madrid in front to the relief of an increasingly nervous home crowd.

The match was put beyond Fiorentina's reach six minutes later by a touch of brilliance from Gento – arguably Madrid's best player on the day. The Cantabrian striker was released by a precise ball from Kopa, dodged past a series of Italian defenders, then just at the right moment flicked the ball over a helpless Sarti.

Sensing that the contest was over, the stadium erupted with joy while Fiorentina were left without the energy or appetite to make any kind of response.