3-1:“Pavons” beat at tango rhythm



A top level encounter on a superb occasion. It was a tribute to Alfredo di Stéfano, the best player that has ever worn the shirt of the best team in football history. And the Trophy at stake named after the best president of this sport. Unbeatable fixture. Then two top-class rivals on the field: historic Real against River Plate, also known as “the American Real”. To round it all up the best player of the game happened to be an Argentinean one: Solari. He paved the way to the win with a great goal and ended up leading his team (with nine reserves tonight). The host kept the title. Future is looking great for this host.

Madrid changed its lineup, but not its attitude. The Whites kept up their ambitions and got hold of the ball right from kickoff and retained it all the way through. It was not a truly overwhelming control becaus River did a good defence and make some dangerous moves near César’s goal. The “golden triangle” Beckham-Zidane-Guti worked pretty well on this occasions as they took over the whole midfield. The attacks were made on the flanks with Núñez and Solari in a very motivated mood. The Argentinean player, who had played in River during his early years, tried really hard to beat his former team’s goal. His best chance was a shot that hit the bar in the 15th minute. Then he tried again with another shot that went off-target.

THE MATCH:
REAL MADRID: César; Salgado (Pavón, min. 45), Rubén, Helguera (Cambiasso, min. 75), Roberto Carlos (Raúl Bravo, min. 45); Beckham (Borja, min. 37), Zidane (Jurado, min. 45), Núñez (Olalla, min. 80), Solari; Guti (Jordi, min. 75) and Portillo (Riki, min. 80).
RIVER PLATE: Contanzo; Virviescas (Vivas, min. 63), Crosa, Amelli, Tuzzio; Mascherano (Barrado, min. 83), Pereyra, Coudet (González, min. 45), Ludueña (Husain, min. 59); Domínguez (Montenegro, min. 45) and Cavenaghi (López, min. 73).
REFEREE: Iturralde González (Basque Referee Association).
GOALS:
1-0: Min. 54: Great goal by Solari, who dribbles past two defenders in the area and sends the ball into the net.
2-0: Min. 57: Portillo, header, from a free kick by Jurado.
3-0: Min. 70: Portillo again, following Raúl Bravo’s centre shot
3-1: Min. 79: González beats César with a high shot.
OTHER FACTS: XXV Santiago Bernabéu Trophy. Santiago Bernabéu was honoured before the game to conmemorate the 50th anniversary of his arrival at Real Madrid. The players lifted a banner with a picture of the former President. The grandaughters of the current Real Madrid Honorary President gave him a plaque with all the titles he achieved as player.