Madrid's perfect timing

Timely reminder
The 26-year-old struck an early goal to put the European champions on their way to a 2-0 victory over Copa Libertadores holders Club Olimpia. Racing through after Raúl González had let Roberto Carlos's pass through his legs and beating goalkeeper Ricardo Tavarelli with a cool finish, he showed the Madrid fans just what they had been missing.

Comeback king
Ronaldo's first three months with the European champions had been notable for little more than a knee injury, three goals, and a recent bout of flu. However without him, Vicente del Bosque's men had failed to score for three games. But this was the Yokohama International stadium, where last summer he had capped a recovery to make even Lazarus blanch with two final goals against Germany.

An incredible year
And Ronaldo can certainly pick his moments. "I am delighted," he said after scooping the award for most valuable player. "This stadium brought me luck at the World Cup and has been good to me again. This has been an incredible year for me and for Real Madrid. We are playing well and what we want now is to be able to come back here next year. I missed two big games against [FC] Barcelona and [AC] Milan, but am feeling much better now."

Show of class
The result was the perfect pick-me-up for his team, who are currently eighth in the Primera División and without a Champions League victory in five outings. It was also the ideal ending to the club's centenary year - a third trophy following the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup successes. Coach Del Bosque said: "I am pleased because we have now managed to win three titles in what is a very important year for Real Madrid. We showed our superiority on the pitch, although Olimpia didn't make it easy for us and were worthy opponents."

Poor finishing
The Paraguayan side might have drawn level when Hernán López hit the post with a volley moments after Ronaldo's goal. But that was the nearest they came to scoring. So it was left to Guti, on as a substitute for Ronaldo, to seal the win with a header from Luis Figo's cross six minutes from time. "The first goal came at a good time, but we were never able to relax because our finishing wasn't good enough and so our dominance wasn't reflected on the scoreboard," Del Bosque said.

Faith in the future
Although Ronaldo and Guti will claim the headlines, it had required a team performance to deny Olimpia, another club celebrating its centenary, a second triumph in this competition. "Obviously the big-name players were out there today, but four or five stars do not make a team and this was a team effort." said Del Bosque, who also expressed the hope that the result will inspire the Merengues to better things. "Let's hope the good form we have shown here can translate into victories after the bad run we have had. I am confident about the future and we are looking to get back to playing the way we were earlier in the season."