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FIFA: Figo, Salamanca Climb to Top of the World
Two Quick Goals Prove Fatal to Juve
September 26, 2002
The World Club Championship got what the tournament needed in its second year: a marquee matchup between two of the world’s best teams, featuring some of its greatest stars. After beating Juventus 3-0 in the UEFA Cup final, Salamanca came in looking for their second major international championship of the year. Juventus finished the regular season as the #1 ranked team in the world.
Things could not have gotten off to a worse start for Juventus as Salamanca scored just 123 seconds into the match. With their first possession of the game, Phillip Cocu sent a ball in from the left wing that caught Juventus in an offside trap. Bellini on the left wing kept Alexander Mostovoi onside in the center of the field and once Mostovoi collected Cocu’s ball, he beat Gianluigi Buffon to the right side of the net from 10 yards out.
Bellini’s nightmare first half continued on Salamanca’s second goal, which came just eight minutes later. Luis Alvaro sent a long ball toward the center of the defense where Luis Figo was well-marked by Bellini and Daniel Bonera. However, Bellini and Bonera did not play the ball well and Figo was able to gain control and fire a shot past Buffon.
Salamanca kept the pressure on and almost scored more in the first half. Mostovoi forced Buffon to make a diving save and Figo shot just over the bar. Meanwhile, Juventus’ offense never seemed in sync in the first half as they were unable to create a scoring opportunity or a shot. Salamanca’s defense was firmly in control on every tackle, mark or clear.
In the second half, Juventus pressed the action desperate for the goal that could get them back into the game. They didn’t manage their first shot until the 51st minute when Alessandro Del Piero’s shot was stuffed by Daniel Arazubia. Salamanca kept Juventus from taking control with their counter attack, springing Figo and Mostovoi for numerous chances that they failed to get on net or that Buffon turned away. The match was all but over when Hernan Crespo hit the post in the 86th minute.
Ivan Campo stood out on defense for Salamanca, marshalling the back line in a commanding performance. Hernan Crespo, named Tuesday as a semifinalist for World Player of the Year and the reigning Serie A Player of the Year, managed just one shot all match. Up top, Luis Figo attacked at will, scoring the second goal and coming close to scoring several other times. For his effort, Figo was named MVP of the final.
With the win, Salamanca captured their first World Club Championship and added the grand prize to the UEFA Cup they won earlier in the year.
Box Score
2002 World Club Championship
Final
@ Rome, Italy
Salamanca 2 - 0 -- 2
Juventus 0 - 0 -- 0
Scoring
Salamanca – Alexander Mostovoi (Phillip Cocu), 3rd
Salamanca – Luis Figo (Luis Alvaro), 11th
Salamanca
G, Daniel Aranzubia (6) - Wasn't challenged all game.
D, Fabricio Coloccini (7) - Kept tight mark on Del Piero.
D, Luis Alvaro (8) - Perfect pass on assist, flawless in central defense.
D, Ivan Campo (8) - Leader on the field was a one man wrecking crew.
D, Jose Luis Santamaria (7) - Dominated his wing.
M, Jorge Lopez (6) - Defensive marking was solid.
M, Diego Cagna (7) - Kept Rui Costa bottled up in the middle.
M, Hermes Aldo Desio (7) - Distributed well to the wings in counter.
M, Phillip Cocu (7) - Quick pass led to first goal.
F, Luis Figo (c) (8) - Unstoppable force lived up to advanced billing.
F, Alexander Mostovoi (7) - Put away the first goal with a cool finish.
Juventus
G, Gianluigi Buffon (7) - Made some great saves or it would have been a blowout.
D, Gianpaolo Bellini (3) - Partly to blame on both goals.
D, Daniel Bonera (4) - Beaten down the middle on second goal.
D, Walter Samuel (6) - Bad day by defensive mates didn't effect his play.
M, Luciano Zauri (4) - Provided no offensive spark.
M, Emerson (5) - Stuck in neutral.
M, Massimo Ambrosini (5) - Struggled aftter Juve fell down early.
M, Manuel Rui Costa (4) - Didn't create a single scoring chance.
M, Stefano Fiore (6) - Lone offensive threat for Juve.
F, Hernan Crespo (5) - No ball service gave him no chance to score.
F, Alessandro Del Piero (5) - Didn't put away the chance to make it a game early in 2nd half.
MVP-Luis Figo.
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