Battle of Santiago
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For the real-life battle fought between the US and Spain in Cuba, see Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
The Battle of Santiago is an informal name which refers to the infamous football match during the World Cup finals between hosts Chile and Italy on June 2, 1962 in Santiago. The referee was Ken Aston.
In this Group 2 clash, tensions between the two football teams were raising high due to Italian journalists' indiscreet reports on the state and morality of the country. Italy's Giorgio Ferrini was sent off in the twelfth minute with a cynical foul.
In the violence that continued, Chilean Leonel Sanchez then broke Italian captain Humberto Maschio's nose with a left hook. English referee Ken Aston had to send off Italian Mario David for retaliating and kicking Sanchez, while the two teams engaged in scuffles and spitting. Police had to intervene thrice before Chile eventually won the match 2-0.