goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSSWwnRecKg&feature=related extended highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LfiFcW6IWIMagical win (2-1)
Roger Bogunyà
When the title looked like it was heading for Boca in the 92nd minute, up stepped Puyol and Eto'o, who turned the game around in three magical minutes; 180 seconds which gave FC Barcelona its 33rd Joan Gamper trophy.
Like all the greatest magicians, FC Barcelona saved the best trick for last. In an electrifying finish, the blaugranas managed to turn round a game that was quickly running away from them and already into added time. Up to that moment they had been unable to impose their style on the game and Boca were able to play the counter attack to perfection.
It was Puyol who hit the equaliser in the 92nd minute, cancelling out Viatri’s opening goal. It looked like the game would be a repeat of the 1-1 draw played out by the two teams in 2003 when the Gamper trophy was decided on penalties. However, Eto'o still had something to say and, in the 95th minute, he completed the comeback by scoring the winner for the home team.
Sergio – off the bar
The game started slowly with a lot of stops. FC Barcelona kept possession but Boca, well organised in defence, were the more comfortable side. But the Argentinians still looked to attack with passes into space for Palermo and Noir, but without any success.
The first half saw both teams apparently content to play safe. There was only one shot of conviction which saw Sergio’s long range effort beat Caranta but come back off the bar. There was a lack of understanding from the Barça players in an eleven which comprised only two players who started the game against Wisla – Márquez and Henry.
Same dynamic, same crossbar
The restart saw a number of changes with Guardiola bringing on four of the eleven subs allowed – Puyol, Abidal, Jeffren and Pedro. Boca were not to be outdone and made five substitutions of their own. However, the first few minutes of this half looked pretty much like the first. Boca even had a similar scoring chance with Viatri striking the same woodwork as Sergio. It was only the first warning.
Viatri puts Boca aheag
Guardiola made four more substitutions in the 62nd minute. He had to find the fluidity and understanding lacking in Barça’s game but the introduction of Xavi, Iniesta, Vázquez and Eto'o, which meant a change from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3, didn’t have the desired effect. The men from Buenos Aires, however, were getting closer and closer to Pinto’s goal until Viatri finally beat the Barça keeper in a one-on-one inside the area in the 72nd minute.
Improving with time
As can happen, the goal spurred Barça on and, though a goal down with only fifteen minutes remaining, they began to play their best football. Iniesta had three chances in five minutes to equalise but pulled his shots. Barça attacked down the wings with speed and played quick triangles. Their chances came and the crowd cheered them on.
Puyol and Eto'o turn the score around
The equaliser finally came from a corner in the 92nd minute when Puyol headed into the top corner. The best, however, was yet to come in a pulsating finish. Firstly, Cardozo had a one-on-one situation with Pinto, which the keeper saved.
The ensuing kick out from the keeper was the origin of the winning goal - Eto'o heading home a Xavi cross from the right. Two goals in three minutes and euphoria in the stands as FC Barcelona won their 33rd Gamper trophy.
