The 1961 Intercontinental Cup was a football match between Uruguayan club Peñarol, winners of the 1961 Copa Libertadores, and Portuguese club Benfica, winners of the 1960âÂÂ61 European Cup. Peñarol won the Intercontinental Cup for the first time.
A play-off was needed due to the rules at the time that awarded 2 points for each victory and both teams having won one game each.