| 1972 European Cup final | |
| Event: | 1971–72 European Cup |
| Team1: | Ajax |
| Team1score: | 2 |
| Team2: | Inter Milan |
| Team2association: |  |
| Team2score: | 0 |
| Date: | 31 May 1972 |
| Stadium: | De Kuip |
| City: | Rotterdam |
| Man Of The Match1a: | Johan Cruyff |
| Referee: | Robert Héliès (France) |
| Attendance: | 61,354 |
| Previous: | 1971 |
| Next: | 1973 |
The 1972 European Cup final was a football match held at De Kuip, Rotterdam, on 31 May 1972, that was contested between AFC Ajax of the Netherlands and Internazionale of Italy to determine the champions of the 1971–72 European Cup. Ajax defeated Inter by a score of 2–0 to claim their second successive European Cup victory, following their triumph in the 1971 final. Two second-half goals from forward Johan Cruyff provided the margin of victory for the Dutch side.
This game has been cited as Total Football's greatest moment. Ajax dominated much of the game as Inter defended desperately with their catenaccio strategy.[1] [2] [3]
| Ajax | Round | Inter Milan | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | ||
| Dynamo Dresden | 2–0 | 2–0 (H) | 0–0 (A) | First round |  AEK Athens | 6–4 | 4–1 (H) | 2–3 (A) | |
 Olympique de Marseille | 6–2 | 2–1 (A) | 4–1 (H) | Second round | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 4–2 | 4–2 (H) | 0–0 (A) | |
| Arsenal | 3–1 | 2–1 (H) | 1–0 (A) | Quarter-finals |  Standard Liège | 2–2 (a) | 1–0 (H) | 1–2 (A) | |
| Benfica | 1–0 | 1–0 (H) | 0–0 (A) | Semi-finals | Celtic | 0–0 (5–4 p) | 0–0 (H) | 0–0 (A) | |
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