28 JUNE 2001

BOCA JUNIORS 0
CRUZ AZUL 1 : Palencia 45
(1x1 on aggregate; Boca wins 3x1 in the penalty shootout)

The final match of the Libertadores Cup was marred by an off-the-field
incident. By the time the match started, there was a huge number of fans
outside the stadium, trying to force their way in. After nine minutes of
play, the Argentinean police had the brilliant idea of throwing tear-gas
into the crowd. But the wind made the gas go inside the stadium and forced
the play to be halted for ten minutes. After the restart, Cruz Azul stunned
everybody, and dominated the match. They wasted many chances, but
finally opened the scoring during the first half injury time, through Palencia.
In the second half, Boca Juniors attacked most of the time, while the Mexican
side only threatened on occasional counter attacks, with the clear intention
of sending the decision to the penalty shootout. By the way, it was the
third straight time that the Libertadores Cup was decided in the shootout.
This time, the home side made their international experience count, netting
three out of four shots, while Cruz Azul sent two shots over the bar and one
into the hands of Córdoba.

Congratulations to Boca Juniors, that won their 4th Libertadores Cup title
(the other titles were in 1977, 1978 and 2000).

Shootout : Boca - Riquelme, Serna, Delgado (scored), Bermúdez (missed),
Cruz Azul - Palencia (scored), Galdamés, Hernández, Pinheiro (missed)
Attendance : around 55,000


20 JUNE 2001

CRUZ AZUL 0
BOCA JUNIORS 1 : Delgado 79

This was an awful day for Mexican football, losing crucial matches both in
the Libertadores Cup and in the World Cup Qualifying tournament (1x3
against Honduras). Although the Mexican press claim that Cruz Azul still
have a shot at winning the competition, the truth is that only a miracle can
make them beat Boca Juniors at the La Bombonera. The defending
champions played this match very smartly, taking the pace off the game as
much as they could. Cruz Azul pressed forward during the entire first half,
but the Argentinean side managed to hold on quite well. After the break,
the Mexicans did most of the attacking, but they gradually became nervous
because of not breaking through. In the 79th minute, Boca scored the goal
that put them firmly in the driver's seat. Ibarra crossed the ball to Delgado,
who fired a potent shot from 15 yards out into the bottom left corner of
the goal.

Attendance : around 120,000

Tomaz R. Alves
tomaz@trivela.com
http://trivela.com