Match summary
On 1 December 1994, Carlos Bianchi's brave yet modest Vélez Sársfield travelled to Tokyo to take on Fabio Capello's powerful AC Milan in a battle billed as David versus Goliath by the local press. And just as in the biblical tale, the underdog triumphed in the end. A combination of commitment, focus and hard work enabled Vélez to humble the Italian giants in front of the watching world.

The match was a very tight affair and only settled in the second half. Roberto Luis Trotta put the South American champions ahead from the penalty spot (57'), and they managed to keep their lead and composure thanks to the experience of their older players and goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert. Omar Asad put the result beyond doubt and assured himself of the Man of the Match award after he pounced on a poor pass in the Italian defence and scored with an unforgettable strike on the half-turn (64').

For the people of Liniers, who had flocked to the Estadio Amalfitani to follow the action on the big screen, the celebrations were unbridled. By morning, the entire country was awash in a tide of red and white emotion.

Key player
Despite playing in a team famed for prizing collective endeavour over individual flair, the Paraguayan José Luis Félix Chilavert nonetheless won a special place in the hearts of Vélez supporters. A goalkeeper, charismatic leader and not infrequent goalscorer, Chilavert announced to a sceptical Argentine public shortly after his arrival in mid-92 that he wanted "to win championships" with his new club. Barely two years later, he proved as good as his word, hoisting the coveted Toyota Cup aloft after his side had vanquished AC Milan.

"I'm proud to be part of this group of players. We are world champions and deservedly so," said the keeper after the historic win in Japan. Among his achievements were saving four penalty kicks in that year's Copa Libertadores, and becoming the first goalkeeper to score a goal other than a penalty in an AFA tournament.

Coach
Carlos Bianchi is regarded as one of the most successful coaches ever to grace Argentine football. His story began at Vélez Sársfield, where as a player he became the club's all-time leading goalscorer. He also set the benchmark for coaching achievements after returning to take charge of the side in the '90s. Dubbed the "Viceroy of Liniers", Bianchi assembled a tight and fearless group of players and convinced them they could achieve anything they wanted - which in essence is what they did. They won the Argentine league in 1993, the Copa Libertadores in 1994 before famously lifting the Toyota Cup later that year.

"We knew we could beat anybody. As I saw it, Trotta was equal to Costacurta, with Chilavert better than Rossi. We had players very capable on the ball and we kept our composure. That's how we became world champions," recalls Bianchi, who would go on to repeat the feat twice more with Boca Juniors


Tokyo, National Stadium, 1 December
Vélez Sársfield 2-0 AC Milan
Attendance: 63,700.
Referee: José Joaquín Torres (COL)
Goals: Roberto Trotta (57'), Omar Asad (64')
Vélez Sársfield: Chilavert Almandoz, Trotta, Sotomayor, Cardozo Basualdo, Gómez, Bassedas, Pompei - Asad, Flores.
AC Milan: Rossi Tassotti, Costacurta, Baresi, Maldini Boban (Simone), Albertini, Desailly, Donadoni Savicevic (Panucci), Massaro.