As part of the build-up to Spain’s defence of the Unofficial Football World Championships title against Mexico next week, we take a look back at Spain’s first ever UFWC match in 1961…

CLASSIC UFWC TITLE MATCH:
Spain 2-0 Argentina, 11 June 1961
Friendly, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Seville
Scorers: Del Sol, Di Stéfano

Despite having played competitive international football for more than 40 years, and having taken part in the 1934 and 1950 World Cup tournaments, Spain had yet to participate in the UFWC.

This title match debut saw the Spanish up against an Argentinean side that had dominated the UFWC since the mid-50s. Argentina’s latest run as unofficial champions had been relatively short at just four games, but the South Americans had scored 17 goals along the way, so it was pretty impressive stuff.

The key talking point ahead of this game was the involvement of the great Alfredo di Stéfano. The Buenos Aires-born forward had played six times for Argentina, but since signing for Real Madrid had changed citizenship and now represented Spain.

After a goalless first half, Di Stéfano’s Madrid teammate Luis del Sol opened the scoring on 63 minutes, with Di Stéfano sealing the win ten minutes later.

Spain subsequently beat Morocco twice to take the UFWC title into the World Cup Finals, but Di Stéfano picked up an injury and never played on football’s biggest stage.

The 1962 World Cup Finals were held in Chile. Spain lost the UFWC title to Czechoslovakia, who held off eventual WC winners Brazil, then lost to Mexico, who failed to progress and exited as UFWC champs.