On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF beat Roma to move closer to Fairs Cup final

On April 25th, 1963, Valencia CF took a vital victory on the road to their second Fairs Cup. A 3-0 triumph at Mestalla against AS Roma in the semifinals left them practically assured of a place n the final, which they would go on to win months later against Dinamo Zagreb.

VCF had previously taken home wins against Scottish sides Celtic (4-2), Dunfermline (4-0) and Hibernian (5-0), with the away legs having the added difficulty of the cold and an icy playing surface.

With the three Scottish clubs successfully vanquished, the trophy defence continued, and awaiting them were AS Roma in the semis. The Italian outfit were well known for their quality, but Valencia CF had no fear and boasted the likes of Waldo, Guillot, Héctor Núñez and more.

It was the Uruguayan who opened the scoring in the rout at Mestalla, and that was followed up by goals by Guillot and Chicao. The full side consisted of: Zamora, Verdú, Quincoces II, Mestre, Sastre, Chicao, Mañó, Ribelles, Waldo, Guillot and Héctor Núñez.

Weeks later, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, a 1-0 defeat was not enough to see Valencia CF eliminated from the competition, and their showing at home sent them through to a second final in as many years. The previous year, they had bested Barcelona 7-3 over two legs.