1981 FIFA Intercontinental Cup — 1981 edition of the Intercontinental Cup, association football match between Liverpool FC and CR Flamengo in Tokyo, Japan
Flamengo defeated Liverpool 3–0 to claim the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, marking the fourth consecutive victory for a South American club in the competition.
Key Facts
- Date
- 13 December 1981
- Venue
- National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
- Attendance
- 62,000 spectators
- Final score
- Flamengo 3–0 Liverpool
- Top scorer
- João Batista Nunes (2 goals)
- Consecutive S. American wins
- 4th in a row
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Flamengo qualified by winning the 1981 Copa Libertadores, defeating Cobreloa in a playoff, while Liverpool qualified by winning the 1980–81 European Cup against Real Madrid. Both clubs were appearing in the Intercontinental Cup for the first time, Liverpool having previously declined participation in 1977 and 1978.
Played before 62,000 spectators at the National Stadium in Tokyo on 13 December 1981, Flamengo scored three times in the first half through João Batista Nunes (12th and 41st minutes) and Adílio (34th minute). Liverpool were unable to score in the second half, leaving Flamengo victors by 3–0.
Flamengo secured their first Intercontinental Cup title, extending South American clubs' winning streak to four consecutive editions. In 2017, the FIFA Council formally recognised all Intercontinental Cup winners as world champions, retrospectively elevating the significance of Flamengo's victory.