Competition:Exhibition game
League:1966 Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League
Date:30 August 1966
Stadium:Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Attendance:9,869
Referee:Morgan

Match report

On Tuesday evening 30 August 1966 Toronto Italia played against Portuguese team Benfica at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. The Portuguese team was said to include seven players that had represented Portugal in the 1966 World Cup.

Close to 10,000 soccer fans turned up to watch Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, called the “Black Panther”, who was rated among the best and most expensive players in the world.

The only goal of the game was scored after 34 minutes when Jose Torres connected on a pass from Antonio Simoes to put the ball behind Italia goalkeeper Nigel Sims.

Italia-Falcons’ best chance came with 19 minutes left of the game when Carlos Metidieri nearly scored on a header. Metidieri was said to have received an offer to join Benfica after starring in the game.

Line-ups

Toronto Italia

PositionPlayer
GoalkeeperNigel Sims
Right fullback
Left fullback
Right halfKen Bracewell
Centre half
Left half
Outside right
Inside right
Centre forward
Inside leftCarlos Metidieri
Outside left
Substitute
Substitute

Benfica

PositionPlayer
GoalkeeperCosta Pereira
Right fullback
Left fullback
Right half
Centre half
Left half
Outside right
Inside right
Centre forwardEusebio
Inside leftJose Torres
Outside leftAntonio Simoes
Substitute