MAN UNITED			1-0			PALMEIRAS
Keane 35

In the 2nd minute Man United won a free kick which Beckham sent over the
bar, the closest he got to scoring in the entire match. A magnificent
overlapping double dummy from Nunes and Alex mesmerised Man United
leaving Asprilla with a run on goal, he picked out Alex with a brilliant pass,
Bosnich made the first of many World Class saves to deny Alex. Irwin released
Giggs on the left flank and he breezed past Junior Baiano before sending a
measured cross into the box, Marcos flapped horribly and Keane arrived at
the far post to volley Man United in front. Butt blasted a half volley inches wide
and Alex had a header cleared off the line by Silvestre as the first half drew to
a close.

Yorke came on for the ineffective Solskjaer for the start of the 2nd half.
Stam made a mess of Junior Baiano's speculative punt upfield, giving Asprilla
a free run on goal but Bosnich brilliantly closed the space forcing the
Colombian to shoot wide. Junior stole the ball from Scholes feet just as
he was about to blast Man United further in front. Beckham repeated the
trick at the other end to deny Evair. Oseas came on for Asprilla. Yorke
handed Giggs a goal on a plate but he shot miserably wide, another miss
soon after, Yorke weakly shooting at Marcos after creating a chance for
himself and he should have been booked for a cowardly dive in the box
seconds later. Man United tore apart Palmeiras on the counter attack from
a corner, as  Scholes was about to put through Yorke Cesar Sampio arrived
having run the length of the field to make a great interception. Nunes
skipped a few tackles on his way into the box but dragged his shot wide.
Alex headed wide with the goal at his mercy from Junior's fantastic
cross. Bosnich made a miraculous point blank save to keep out Oseas. Giggs
ran from the half way line, turned Arce? inside out before shooting weakly
at Marcos. He then brilliantly spun around the back of Zinho and sent a hard
a cross into the box which almost resulted in an own goal. Mueller, released
by the impressive Junior, held off Neville and shot from a tight angle,
Bosnich blocked his shot and Alex blasted the rebound high over the bar.
Bosnich came to the rescue again, meeting Alex's drive with a Hollywood
save.

A composed first half display from Man United who arguably played their best
football of the season although still nowhere near some of their performances
from last season. In the second half they invited Palmeiras to attack and would
have paid a heavy price but for Bosnich who had a World Class match. Beckham
was sterile in attack but good in defence, similar to some of his recent
performances. Giggs has one of those rare days on which he looked
unstoppable, shame about the finishing. Junior and Alex were magnificent
for Palmeiras. Oseas also had a superb match. A really tough result for
Palmeiras who gave the best team performance I have seen in this competition
probably since Red Star V Colo Colo in 1992.

Alex Ferguson "We treated this match very seriously. The world championship
is something special and we can be very proud of our players today".

Phil Scolari "United proved what a great team they are. We made enough
chances to score but United played very well."

If this is the World Championship, what's taking place in January?