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."