2002: Madrid round off triumphant year
Tuesday 3 December 2002
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Madrid lift the 2002 European/South American Cup (©Getty Images)
Real Madrid CF 2-0 Club Olimpia
Real Madrid CF lifted the European/South American Cup for a third time as the European champions beat Copa Libertadores winners Club Olimpia 2-0 at the Yokohama International Stadium.
Centenary treble
Ronaldo marked his return to the ground where he had helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup against Germany the previous June with the opening goal and substitute Guti added the second as Madrid, who previously won the competition in 1960 and 1998, ended their centenary year with a third trophy to add to their UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup successes.
Early goal
Ronaldo opened the scoring on 14 minutes, completing a move that showed Madrid at their best. It started with a sublime touch from Zinédine Zidane, whose flick sent Roberto Carlos charging down the left. The Brazilian, who had brought a fingertip save from Ricardo Tavarelli minutes earlier, found Raúl González and his dummy opened the path to goal for Ronaldo. Shrugging aside Nelson Zelaya, Ronaldo stroked the ball into the goalkeeper's left-hand corner to stir memories of the previous summer.
Casillas saves
Madrid did not have things all their own way against their Paraguayan opponents. Twice Iker Casillas was called on to produce important saves before the goal and he was beaten soon after it, though he was relieved to see Hernán López's volley rebound off the post. In an open game Zidane could have extended the Merengues' lead when he ran unchallenged to the edge of the Olimpia box only to shoot over. Then Sergio Orteman's ball from the right left Miguel Ángel Benítez with a clear chance at the far post, yet his low shot was clawed away by Casillas.
Madrid's night
Ronaldo came close to a second goal when his quick feet left Julio Cáceres fixed to the spot but he dragged a low shot wide. Then, from a Luís Figo corner, Raúl and Ronaldo both failed to apply a decisive touch with the goal unguarded. Madrid seldom looked troubled, however, and Guti, who had only been on the field two minutes, made sure of victory six minutes from time when he headed in a Figo cross.
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