2000 Toyota Cup - Real Madrid v Boca Juniors

Tokyo, Japan - Real Madrid 1v2 Boca Juniors

The Financial gulf between the top European sides and their South American counterparts was widening, and was reflected in the recent results between the Champions of Europe and South America. The team with perhaps the most Financial clout were Pre Game favourites Real Madrid who were looking for a 2nd Toyota Cup success in 3 Years, with a side boasting such talent as Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul.
But despite their attacking talents, Real were far from unbeatable, and did not look destined to become European Champions as they were well beaten home and away by Bayern Munich as they struggled to progress from the Champions League 2nd Group Stage.
But in the knockout rounds the Spanish giants clicked into gear, culminating in a 3v0 victory in the final against another Spanish side, Valencia.
It had been 6 years since a South American side had won the Toyota Cup, interestingly the Coach on that occasion was Carlos Bianchi, now the Coach of Boca Juniors who was leading the side into another period of success.
Boca had won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in more than 20 years, and fielded an experienced side, including exciting Argentine talent Juan Roman Riquelme and prolific marksman Martin Palermo.
There were some negative events leading up to the game, Boca had failed to turn up for their official training session prior to the game and Carlos Bianchi had cancelled Boca's press conference without Reason.
Madrid's Argentine Midfielder Solari has been verbally abused whilst out shopping in Tokyo, due to his previous association with Boca's bitter rivals, River Plate, although Solari did not appear to be to distressed at the incident, remarking that "These things happen in football. You just put it behind you,".
But any concerns that the match would be a negative encounter were banished within minutes of the game starting as Boca scored twice within the opening 6 minutes, both courtesy of Martin Palermo.
His first effort was a straightforward close range finish after Delagdo had peeled off the Madrid defence, and being afforded far too much time, he picked out Palermo with an inch perfect ball across the area.
Before Madrid could collect their thoughts they were 2 goals down, and again the Madrid defence was all over the place. A long pass found Palermo the wrong side of Geremi, whose attentions were shrugged off by the forward, before firing past Casillas.
Palermo had been the object of ridicule the previous year for missing 3 penalties in the same game for Argentina, but the striker was at his lethal best against the European Champions.
The pulsating start to the game continued as Madrid were stung into action, with Madrid's Roberto Carlos in the middle of the action.
The Brazilian Full Back took a ball brilliantly on the chest before unleashing a thunderous drive against the bar, with Boca Keeper Cordoba well beaten. But Roberto Carlos was not to be denied, and on 12mins he halved the deficit with another piledriver which beat Cordoba at his near post.
The chances continued to come thick and fast, Raul spurned a chance to level the scores when his chip over Cordoba was off target and at the other end Riquelme tested Casillas from a free kick after he had been upended on the edge of the areas, after getting the better of Makelele.
Madrid were having all sorts of problems with Palermo, and it took a save from Casillas to prevent a wonderful individual third from the striker after he weaved his way past several Madrid players.
The half time interval did not affect the pace of the game when the 2nd half restarted, with Boca continuing to trouble Madrid on the break, with Delgado centimetres away from restoring Boca's 2 goal lead, but failed to connect with a Palermo cross.
At the other end Raul was presented with another chance, but failed to guide the ball on target after Guti had flicked the ball on from a Madrid corner.
Boca survived 2 scares around the hour mark, as Real had a decent penalty claim denied, after a Boca player had appeared to handle a Roberto Carlos cross, and moments later Raul had a goal chalked off for what looked like a marginal offside decision.

It was not going to be Madrid's day, and it could have been worse had Delgado opted to square the ball for a team mate rather then woefully find the side netting with an effort, as Madrid were caught pushing for an equaliser.

But Real could not undo the damage inflicted by Palermo in the games opening minutes as Boca held on to end European domination of the fixture.

Real President Florentino Perez had more than the loss of the Title of World Champions on his mind after the game after declaring "How are we ever going to conquer the Asian market with performances like that?"

The victory was met with much celebration, as thousands of Boca supporters celebrated the victory in the centre of Buenos Aires after a morning in which crowds packed cafes before the game had started at 7am Argentine time. Car horns and cheers which greeted each Boca goal and the final victory.
Diego Maradona, who had not been granted a Visa to watch the match in person, congratulated Boca, saying "Riquelme played the sort of football which we Argentines like and which really typifies the South American style. This match showed that European football is no better than ours."

1973 Intercontinental Cup - Juventus v Independiente

Rome, Italy - Juventus 0v1 Independiente

In 1973 for the first time, the Intercontinental Cup would be decided over 90 minutes in a game on 'neutral' territory.
Ajax had won the European Cup for the 3rd successive season, but as in 1971 decided against taking part in this fixuture officially for Financial reasons, although the brutality from their opponents in Argentina the previous year may well have been the crucial factor in the decision.
European Cup Runners Up Juventus took the place of Ajax, but after lengthy negotiations it was decided that there be just a one off match to decide who would be champions of the world.
The venue of the fixture seemed to give Juventus an advantage as the game would be played in Rome, in the home country of the European side.
Facing these odds was 'The King of Cups' Independiente, who despite having won the Copa Libertadores 4 times, had yet to win the Intercontinental Cup, the Title that gave you the right to the claim of being the best in the World.
Despite the weight of history and the choice of venue against them, Independiente Coach Roberto Ferreiro insisted Juventus could be beaten by his sides superior technique.

The Juventus side contained experienced internationals such as Zoff, Altafini, Bettega & Morini and Independiente had to survive a number of scares as Juventus threatened to open the scoring. Twice in the first half the woodwork came to the rescue of the South American Champions, with one effort hitting the post, with Independiente Keeper Santoro well beaten, and the bar also denied the Italians, with Santoro reacting well to a header from the rebound.
A minute into the second half Juventus were awarded a golden opportunity to take the lead, after the softest of penalties was awarded after nothing more than shoulder to shoulder contact.

Justice prevailed when Cuccureddu blasted the penalty over, and if proved to be a crucial miss after Independiente fashioned a late winner.

The breakthrough came with 10mins remaining and was a well worked move between the relatively inexperienced pairing of Bochini and Bertoni.
The 2 Independiente players were not regulars in the Argentine side that won the Copa Libertadores, but the goal that finally landed Independiente the Intercontinental Cup was "when our careers really got going" Bertoni would go on to say years later.
Bertoni picked up the ball on the halfway line, found Bochini with a pass, who then returned the favour. The ball was played back to Bochini who produced a deft finish over Zoff for the games only goal as 'The King of Cups' finally landed the ultimate prize.

1984 Toyota Cup - Liverpool v Independiente

Toyko, Japan - Liverpool 0v1 Independiente

There was a political element to the 1984 Toyota Cup clash, as it pitted Argentina v England for the first time since the Falklands War.
Liverpool had qualified for this fixture by winning their 4th European Cup, with this side regarded as possibly the best of the bunch.
Facing them were another highly decorated Club, Independiente, who had clinched their record 7th Copa Libertadores in a team boasting 7 Argentine Internationals, 4 of which would win the World Cup with Argentina only 2 years later.
Liverpool came into the match with a better attitude than their last showing on this stage 3 years earlier where a lacklustre Liverpool were humbled 3v0 by Flamengo, although preparations for the match were still far from ideal.
The English side had played a League match back in England only 5 days earlier, had lost Mark Lawrenson through injury while training in Japan, and were struggling with jet lag. Although recent results had improved, Liverpool had been well below par in their domestic League, although would go on to reach a 2nd successive European Cup Final.

There were warning signs early on that Independiente were looking to spring the Liverpool offside trap as the Liverpool back 4 pushed up dangerously high almost to the halfway line. It didn't take long for the South American Champions to punish Liverpool's high line, as Marangoni's ball found 19 Year old Percudani, and with the Linesman's flag remaining down he raced through to slip the ball past Grobbelaar to give the South American side an early lead after just 6 minutes.

On a dry and bumpy pitch it was difficult for any of the sides to build up any sort of momentum, with a determined Independiente defence repelling balls played into the box, whilst looking to hit on the break at the other end.
Dalglish squandered a great opportunity for the English side as he miscued in front of goal from a pull back from Rush.
Aside from a Craig Johnstone drive, which was a comfortable height for the Keeper to parry away, the ranks of the Independiente defence successfully snuffed out Liverpool's attacks, although at the other end Grobbelaar was rarely called upon, with only a well struck Clausen drive from outside the area to deal with.

The second half continued in the same fashion, with Liverpool pressing forward and Independiente with their deft flicks and pace looking to counter, but controlling a bobbling ball and time on the ball in scarce supply, there was never going to be a multitude of chances created.
A cute Molby pass found Nicol, who was attacking with more gusto down the Independiente right hand side, but with the space being closed down his effort lacked the ferocity to trouble Goyen in goal.

Liverpool almost gifted Independiente a second goal when Burruchaga intercepted Phil Neal's ill advised back pass, but Grobbelaar was sharply off his line to come to his team mate's rescue.
As the game wore on Liverpool threw more men forward, but were continually met with a Red Wall of Independiente players determined to hold onto their lead.
At the other was also increased danger at the other end with Perrcudani and Barberon having chances on the break.
But there was to be no late siege on the Argentine goal as Liverpool looked to have run out of steam and Independiente saw out the final minutes without any cause for concern as the Argentine side continued South American dominance in this competition.
 After the match Liverpool Boss Joe Fagan admitted "Independiente are a good tactical team. We could find no way through their defence. They are master technicians when  it comes to using the ball".

1994 Toyota Cup - AC Milan v Velez Sarsfield

Tokyo, Japan - AC Milan 0v2 Velez Sarsfield

AC Milan were undoubtedly the outstanding side in Europe of the 90's, but the side that had won 3 consecutive Scudettos and would reach 3 consecutive European Cup Finals were reaching the end of their dominance.
Dutch masters Rijkaard and Gullit had left the Rossoneri, and Milan had also lost Van Basten to what would end up being a career ending injury, although a 4v0 victory over the Barcelona 'Dream Team' in the Champions League Final of 94 showed that there was still much talent in the Milan side.
Milan's opponents in the 1994 Toyota Cup had a much less glamorous history of silverware, although Velez Sarsfield were entering the most successful period of the Club's history having ended a 25 years without a trophy by winning the 1993 Apertura.
Velez achieved Continental success by winning the 1994 Copa Libertadores, ending the reign of Sao Paulo, in only their 2nd appearance in the competition.

Milan's preparations for the game were hardly ideal, as a logistical error in their choice of hotel meant that on the way to training sessions Milan's squad spent 4 hours on a coach in Tokyo's traffic jams,

The game itself was no classic as a below par Milan side were made to pay for 2 decisive errors, both involving Alessandro Costacurta, whose miserable evening was capped off by receiving his marching orders late in the tie.
Costacurta would later admit during a television interview that his performance "Was the single worst performance in my career" and admitted "I cost us the game".
Despite recording a historic victory, unfancied Velez also failed to impress, but their ability to capitalise on errors from Milan defender was the difference on the night.

Milan had been struggling for goals in Serie A, and carried this problem to Japan where their play in the final third of the pitch let them down. Milan started the game better, pressing Velez hard who were not allowed to get into their rhythm, but the final ball from the Rossoneri was poor, particularly the delivery from wide areas.
As the first half progressed Velez started winning more of the midfield battles, but like their European counterparts lacked a cutting edge up front.
In the dying moments of the 1st half Milan finally carved out an opportunity when a wonderfully flighted ball from Savicevic found Boban, but with the angle narrowing, he could only fire wide.
Early in the 2nd half Milan at last forced extrovert Goalkeeper Chilavert into some serious action when Chilavert had to be smartly off his line to deny Massaro, after the Argentine defence was caught napping by a long raking ball.

Then came the incident that turned the game on it's head as Velez were awarded a penalty following when Costacurta was adjudged to have brought down Asad in the area. Trotta fired the penalty underneath Milan Goalkeeper Rossi, to give Velez the lead, having hardly threatened the Milan goal prior to the incident.The European Champions almost responded straight away through Massaro, again set up by Savicevic, but Chilavert was on hand to tip the ball wide.

But any hopes of levelling the contest were dealt a fatal blow when Costacurta gifted Velez a second on 57mins. The lively Asad intercepted a lazy backpass by the Italian defender, and after beating Rossi to the ball he swivelled and curled the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Milan never looked likely of pulling it back, although Massaro was unlucky not to at least reduce the deficit after narrowly failing to connect with a Simone cross and soon after forcing a great save from Chilavert.

Constacurta's nightmare was complete on 85mins when he was dismissed after being robbed of the ball from Asad, and with the striker bearing in on goal, he was tugged back by Costacurta, who was shown the red card.
It could have been worse for Milan as Velez almost grabbed a 3rd in stoppage time when Flores was put through on goal, only for the ball to get stuck under his feet at the crucial moment.
Asad would be awarded the Man of the Match award, but admitted that Velez had been nervous in the early stages of the match as their lack of big match experience counted against them.
Velez Coach Carlos Bianchi went on to say "We aren't a very well known team yet, but it's not the past that matters, it's the present", while Bianchi's opposite number Fabio Capello bemoaned Milan's lack of cutting edge "We could not make use of the 5 chances we had, but Velez grabbed their one and only chance".

1969 Intercontinental Cup - AC Milan v Estudiantes

A second successive Copa Libertadores victory gave Estudiantes an opportunity to defend the Intercontinental Cup against AC Milan.
Managed by legendary tactician Nereo Rocco, the first proponent of Catenaccio, Milan had demolished Ajax 4v1 to win the European Cup Final. having previously eliminated holders Manchester United in the semi finals.
Milan's side was built on a sweeper system but were also dangerous in an attack containing 'Golden Boy' Gianni Rivera and a man who would cause much controversy in this tie, Nestor Combin.
Combin was born in Argentina, but moved to France, becoming a French Citizen.
Having an Argentine appearing for a European Club facing an Argentine side outraged the Argentinean press and fans alike. The Press had added fuel to the fire claiming Combin had deserted his country and refused to carry out his National Service.

1st Leg - Milan, Italy - AC Milan 3v0 Estudiantes

Milan would take a commanding 3v0 lead to Argentina for the 2nd leg following a bad tempered match in Milan. An Estudiantes player was hit by an object thrown from the crowd, and it got worse for the South Americans when Sormani gave Milan an early lead after appearing unmarked at the far post to convert a left wing cross.

Milan were happy to sit back, restricting the visitors to long range efforts while launching quick counter attacks.
This tactic seemed to be working as Estudiantes Keeper Poletti was forced into action, in a game that was littered with fouls, with players needing to leave the pitch for treatment.
Milan would double their lead shortly before half time as Combin latched into a through ball, before taking the ball round Poletti and rolling the ball into the net.
The foul count would increase in the 2nd half, with Estudiantes guilty of most of the offences, bringing down the fleet footed Milan attackers
Despite losing Nestor Combin on with a facial injury, Milan extended their lead on 73mins. Following another foul by the visitors, Milan took a quick free kick and Sormani unleashed a fine finish past Poletti for his second goal of the tie.
The goal triggered more fouls by the visitors, who could have conceded a 4th after their offside trap was beaten, only for the offside flag to deny Milan another goal, but still left Estudiantes an uphill task to retain the Intercontinental Cup.


2nd Leg - Buenos Aries, Argentina - Estudiantes 2v1 AC Milan (Milan win 4v2 on aggregate)

There was a predictably hostile welcome for Combin and his Milan team mates for the 2nd leg in Argentina, with footballs kicked at the Milan players as they warmed up and hot coffee poured over them as they walked out of the tunnel.
The game itself was brutal, as Milan midfielder Giovanni Lodetti said: "When you had the ball, someone would arrive and hit you." One Milan player even claimed that he had been jabbed by a needle, a tactic used by the Estudiantes players of that era.
After just 18mins, Pierino Prati, who had scored a hat-trick for the Rossoneri in the European Cup Final was momentarily knocked unconscious, via an elbow by Alberto Suarez.
Whilst receiving treatment for the injury Estudiantes Keeper Alberto Jose Poletti kicked him in the back whilst the Referee was unsighted. Prati continued to play suffering from mild concussion and amnesia, before finally having to be substituted before half time.
In between all the violence Estudiantes had Milan on the back foot in the early stages. launching a number of balls into the Italian box, with Milan Keeper Cudicini frequently coming off his line to fend off the danger.
Against the run of play Milan extended their aggregate lead by opening the scoring, through Rivera, who intercepted an Estudiantes pass, before a 1-2 with Combin put him through on goal.
He took the ball round Poletti, who tried to bring Rivera down before slotting the ball into the Argentine net. Poletti responded by retrieving the ball from the net and launching the ball at the nearest Milan player before a tempers flared.
By half time Estudiantes had turned the game around and were ahead 2v1 on the night.
Conigliaro levelled the scores with a header after the ball fell invitingly for him following a blocked shot, and 2 minutes later Suarez volleyed the South American Champions ahead after Milan had failed to clear the danger from a corner.
But instead of pushing for a third goal the Argentines seemed more interested in dishing out punishment to their Italian opponents, a course of action that resulted in 2nd half dismissals for both Suarez and Manera.
Rivera was punched in the face by Poletti, but it was Nestor Combin who saw the worst of the treatment, being kicked in the face by Poletti and having his cheekbone and nose broken by Suarez.
Combin was asked to return to the field by the Chilean Referee, only to faint before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.
There was to be no further addition to the scoreline with Estudiantes winning 2v1, but losing 4v2 on aggregate, although the result was overshadowed by the violence on the pitch. It was less a game, more, as Gazzetta dello Sport put it, "Ninety minutes of a man-hunt
Even after the final whistle the controversy continued with a battered and bruised Combin arrested and handcuffed by Police for failing to perform his military service, despite now being a French Citizen.
Combin spent the night in jail, before proving his innocence and joining his Milan colleagues, who had refused to fly home without him.
After international outrage Argentine President Juan Carlos Ongania demanded action be taken against Estudiantes, which resulted in Poletti, Suarez and Manera all being given 30 day jail sentence and a 20 year ban from Football, with Poletti's ban being a life ban.
This unprecedented action was rumoured to be a hard line approach to aid Arhentina's bid for the 1978 World Cup. The bans were eventually overturned, with all 3 players continuing to play for the Club.