This Day in History: 2022-10-18

Nr. 324

REAL MADRID TAKE ON RAPID VIENNA IN EUROPEAN PLAY-OFF (1956)

While Real Madrid would ultimately defend the European Cup successfully in 1956-57, their bid was very nearly derailed in the fust round by Rapid Vienna. The Austrians were trounced 4-2 in the fust leg in Madrid, but won the second leg 3-1 in the Prater stadium with a hat-trick from Ernst Happel. The match was tied 5-5 on aggregate. If the away goals rule had apphed Madrid would have been out at the fust hurdle. However, at that time a play-off was used to determine the winner and it didn’t have to be at a neutral stadium. Madrid talked the Austrians into playing the game at the Bernabeu, where they triumphed 2-0, and Rapid Vienna’s chance of an upset was gone.

Ernst Happel here on the left trains with the Austrian national side. His goals almost took Rapid Vienna to a momentous win over Madrid.