European throwback: When Barcelona were far too good for Wolves

A two-legged European Cup quarter-final against Espanyol’s rivals Barcelona in 1960 did not go Wolves’ way, at all, writes Joe Edwards.

Things went awry at the Nou Camp, and they did not improve a great deal at Molineux.

Stan Cullis’s charges were no pushovers, of course, and went on to win the FA Cup that season while only missing out on the First Division crown by a point.

So, it was understandable that they headed to Spain fancying their chances of getting something.

Wolves skipper Eddie Stuart said ahead of the first leg in Barca: “They will have to beat us 4-0 to sew up the quarter-finals, and I don’t think they can do it.

“I do not think that the fancy Spanish football will be able to resist our efficiency.”

However, as it turned out, the English efficiency was no match for the Spanish style as Barcelona won – you guessed it – 4-0.

Wolves, though, should have taken the lead early on.

Within a couple of minutes of the game starting, the ball shot across the hosts’ goalmouth and Bobby Mason, running in, slipped.

Then, Peter Broadbent narrowly missed the target with a header.

Those missed opportunities were punished too as Barca’s first attack resulted in the first goal.

Luis Suarez – who would later become the subject of the first-ever £100,000 transfer when sold to Inter Milan – sent the ball across goal for Ramon Villaverde to head in.

Suarez was the provider again as they doubled their lead in the 18th minute, setting up Laszlo Kubala.

Evaristo scored the third for Barcelona, finishing off a five-man move. Villaverde wrapped things up with his second, in front of 95,000 fans.

Barca’s brilliance was simply too hot to handle, and an honest Cullis said: “I can have no complaints.

“We were beaten by a better side.”

The Catalan giants’ forwards flexed their muscles in the return leg too, even though the Molineux pitch was in poor condition.

Wolves, though, did at least come up with some goals of their own.

Hungarian star Sandor Kocsis was the star of the show for the visitors, with four goals to his name.

Jimmy Murray got on the scoresheet for Wolves, and so did Mason, but it was Barcelona who were shining bright once more.

Villaverde helped himself to another after his double in the first leg as it finished 5-2 to Barca on the night – and 9-2 aggregate.

Cullis added: “If we had to be beaten, I’m glad it was by a team like this. They were magnificent.”

Let’s hope Wolves turn out to be magnificent against Espanyol across the two legs in February.