1992: Raí has a blinder for São Paulo
Saturday 12 December 1992
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Raí celebrates victory in 1992 (©Getty Images)
São Paulo FC 2-1 FC Barcelona
Telé Santana's São Paulo FC won the battle of the continental heavyweights in Tokyo, returning the European/South American Cup to South America after a three-year gap by coming from behind to defeat Johan Cruyff's FC Barcelona thanks to two goals from their elegant playmaker Raí.
Stoichkov strikes
Both clubs were appearing in the fixture for the first time and it was Barcelona who made the more positive start in the bright winter sunshine, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov collecting Josep Guardiola's pass before rifling a firm shot into the top corner 13 minutes in. However, just as the Catalan club appeared to be taking control, the Brazilian side equalised in the 26th minute, Raí scrambling in Müller cross with his midriff. The winning goal, eleven minutes from time, was considerably more aesthetically pleasing – a blistering indirect free-kick from Raí that soared past Barça goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta – and proved a fitting reward for São Paulo's upbeat second-half display. Aside from a couple of efforts from distance by Michael Laudrup and Ronald Koeman, Barça offered little in front of goal after the interval whereas São Paulo, with Raí, Muller and right-back Cafu particularly prominent, posed a threat whenever they came forward.
'Great coach'
Man of the Match Raí said: "We have a good spirit in the team and we deserved to win. When I scored the winner, I went to Telé Santana to show what I think of him: a great coach and a great man." Santana added: "Barcelona were better in the first half but our attack was more effective in the second and I was pleased with our defence throughout."
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