The Battle of Santiago

June 2, 1962 - The most infamous soccer game of all time was played on this day. It was a World Cup match between host-country Chile and the Italians.

Tensions were high as articles written by the Italian press had said some unfavorable things about the city of Santiago and the overall preparations for the World Cup.

Commentator David Coleman would later describe the game as...

...the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.

After only 12 seconds of play the first foul occurred. The game was an endless string of high kicks, punches and unbelievably bad sportsmanship. 2 Italians were ejected, and one of them had to be forced off the field by the police.

In the end, Chile won 2 to 0, but by all accounts everyone lost in this one.