Boca secures Recopa title

Sao Paulo failed to defeat Boca Juniors this Thursday at the Morumbi Stadium, and had to settle for its third second-place finish this season, in three tournaments in which it took place. After losing the first leg of the South American Recopa 2-1 last week in Buenos Aires, the Brazilian team could only draw 2-2 at home, frustrating fans that had hoped to see the team win its third Recopa title. Instead, Boca was the team to win its third Recopa crown, adding up an impressive 16 international titles in tournaments officially recognized by the South American Soccer Confederation (Conmebol).

Sao Paulo suffered its first blow even before it entered the field, when it learned in the dressing room that forwards Leandro and Aloisio would be unfit to play. Coach Muricy Ramalho then chose a last minute formation with Thiago and midfielder Lenilson up front. Unfortunately, the move was not that good for the home team, which seemed to lack a reference in attack for most of the game, and thus did not create many dangerous scoring opportunities during the match.

The locals opened the score after 34 minutes though, when Junior received the ball from Souza and put it past goalkeeper Bobadilla. Boca greated a great chance to score four minutes later, but Rogerio Ceni made a fantastic save on a shot by Cardozo. Palacios tied the game before the end of the first half, however, taking advantage of a head pass by Palermo to put the ball past the Sao Paulo goalkeeper. This meant Sao Paulo would need at least two goals to win the title, or one to force a penalty shootout.

The second half started very promisingly to Sao Paulo, but the team failed to score on some early chances it created and soon started to miss several passes, allowing for Boca to gain control of midfield. The visitors scored their second goal of the game in the 75th minute, when Palermo controlled the ball just outside the penalty box and put a perfect shot past Ceni. Sao Paulo knew the game was out of hand, since it would need to score three goals in 15 minutes to win the title. The team did not give up however, and would still tie the game with just 5 minutes left, when Morel Rodriguez misdirected a cross with his head to score an own goal.

In the end, Boca partied again at the Morumbi, as it had done before in Libertadores finals against Palmeiras and Santos. And coach Alfio Basile left the team with his head high, ready for dedicating himself exclusively to the Argentina National Team. Boca fans can only hope his replacement will live up to Basile's achievements.