2000: Palermo double defeats Madrid
Tuesday 28 November 2000
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Martín Palermo scored twice to help Boca win the 2000 European/South American Cup (©Getty Images)
Real Madrid CF 1-2 CA Boca Juniors
Martín Palermo scored twice in the first six minutes to defeat Real Madrid CF as CA Boca Juniors won their first European/South American Cup title since 1978.
Palermo double
Palermo had recently returned to the side after seven months out with a knee injury and swiftly made up for lost time at the Nishigaoka Stadium in Tokyo. The 27-year-old had the simplest of tasks to side-foot in Marcelo Delgado's left-wing cross in the third minute and struck again three minutes later, latching on to a long ball and holding off Geremi before firing under Iker Casillas. In a thrilling opening spell, Madrid, who had defeated compatriots Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League final the previous May, pulled a goal back on 12 minutes. Luís Figo's deep cross was headed out by Hugo Ibarra, but only as far as Roberto Carlos who chested the ball down and unleashed a superb volley that beat Óscar Córdoba at his near post.
Madrid press
Madrid came close again soon after as they battled to get back on level terms with Guti and Raúl González both spurning good chances, but Boca too had their moments. Palermo narrowly failed to get on the end of another Delgado cross before Juan Róman Riquelme, who was at the heart of most of Boca's attacks, brought a superb reflex save out of Casillas and tested the goalkeeper again early in the second half with a free-kick. Madrid were enjoying more possession, but Boca captain Jorge Bermúdez led a determined rearguard action that largely restricted the European champions to long-range efforts.
Late chances
As Madrid pressed forward they became increasingly exposed at the back. Twice in the final five minutes Boca had chances to make the game safe but both times great recovering tackles kept Madrid in with a chance. First Iván Helguera did well to get back to clear as Delgado dallied, and only a last-gasp tackle from Roberto Carlos denied Sebastián Battaglia a shooting chance moments later. Ultimately, though, Palermo's early burst proved enough for victory.
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