Liverpool's first attempt to win the Intercontinental Cup ended in a 3–0 defeat by Flamengo in Tokyo on 13 December 1981. The South American champions scored all three goals before half-time, with Zico creating two for Nunes and the opening for Adílio's finish.
The European champions were undone by passes behind their defence and by Flamengo's finishing. Zico operated from a deeper position than Liverpool had expected, finding space from which to release Nunes.
The first goal came when Zico lifted a pass over Phil Thompson and Nunes reached it ahead of the advancing Bruce Grobbelaar. Just after the half-hour, Zico's free-kick went through a gap in the defensive wall. Grobbelaar could not hold the shot and Adílio converted the rebound.
Before the interval Zico found Nunes again, this time in the right-hand channel. The striker's shot from an angle made it 3–0.
Liverpool sent David Johnson on for Terry McDermott early in the second half, but found no way back. Craig Johnston offered their clearest attacking threat, while Grobbelaar made saves which prevented Flamengo extending the margin. The match finished as it had stood at half-time before 62,000 spectators at the National Stadium.
In a later FIFA interview, Zico explained that he had warned Nunes to watch Liverpool's defensive line and be ready for his passes. His account matched the decisive pattern of the game: twice he sent the striker clear, and twice Nunes finished.