Once Caldas earn shot at Porto
Thursday 1 July 2004
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CD Once Caldas celebrate winning the Copa Libertadores (©Getty Images)
European champions FC Porto will take on CD Once Caldas for the European/South American Cup after the Colombian side shocked defending champions CA Boca Juniors to win the Libertadores Cup after a penalty shoot-out.
Test of nerve
With the scores locked at 1-1 on aggregate over the two-legged final, Once Caldas prevailed 2-0 on penalties after the Argentinian side missed all four of their spot kicks to become only the second Colombian side to win the trophy in its 44-year history.
Dramatic victory
The result was even more dramatic than Porto's triumph in the UEFA Champions League. Once Caldas had been eliminated in the first round on their previous two Libertadores appearances and had only ever won the Colombian championship twice.
Winning run
Coach Carlos Bianchi was looking to lead Boca to a fourth Libertadores triumph in five years, but ignoring the odds against them, Caldas pressed home their advantage gained from holding the champions to a goalless first leg in Buenos Aries.
Viafara on target
Midfield player John Viafara's long range strike gave Caldas the lead on eight minutes and the Manizales side had chances to go further ahead, only for Boca to hit back seven minutes after the restart. Franco Cangele floated a free-kick into the penalty area where defender Nicolas Burdisso climbed highest to head in the equaliser.
Dream realised
With extra time and away goals not used, no further goals ensured that South America's premier club competition would be decided on penalties. Elkin Soto and Jorge Agudelo obliged for the home side, and with Boca unable to find a way past goalkeeper Juan Carlos Henao, Caldas' Libertadores dream was realised.
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