On 25 January 1977 Independiente claimed one of the club’s most famous victories when they defeated Talleres de Cordoba to win the National Championship in the most dramatic fashion.

The first leg in Avellaneda had finished 1-1 and so Independiente knew that they needed to get a result in Cordoba against a strong Talleres side. They were by no means favourites to achieve this and even less so after the events that unfolded on the night but the tactical maneuveurs by manager Jose Pastoriza and the determination of the players gave the Reds of Avellaneda the most memorable night in the clubs decorated history.

Independiente led on the night through a header from Outes which stunned the Cordoba crowd but Talleres came back strongly. When they scored a penalty in the second half to level the tie the championship was all to play for but what happened next has gone down in the history of Argentinian football. Talleres scored a controversial second to lead in the tie and in the resulting protestations from the Independiente players Trossero, Larrosa and Ruben Galvan were all sent off. With the prospect of having to play the remainder of the game with only 8 players Independiente threatened to walk off the pitch but manager Jose Pastoriza managed to calm the players and tweak the formation. 7 minutes from time he was rewarded for his perseverence when Independiente equalised with a goal by club legend, Ricardo Bochini.

This goal was enough to draw the game 2-2 and give Independiente the championship on away goals. On the day of Bochini’s 24th birthday he had given the Independiente fans one of their greatest triumphs and earned himself a place in Argentinian football’s history.

Here is some rather grainy footage of the game if you want to watch…