Real Madrid beats Olimpia 2-0

Yokohama:

Spanish power Real Madrid defeated South American champions Olimpia of Paraguay 2-0 in the Toyota Cup on goals from Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldo and Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierres. Today's victory hands Madrid the unofficial title of world club champion and marks the third time the Spanish club will lift the intercontinental club trophy. It has won the cup twice before in the 1960 inaugural contest and in 1998. In an exhilarating match of contrasting styles, the full-strength European side cut through Olimpia with smart one-touch passing in the midfield, while Olimpia hunkered on defense, relying heavily on counterattacks. Madrid took the lead in the 14th minute when Ronaldo collected a pass from fellow Brazilian Roberto Carlos at the top of the penalty box and slipped it past Ricardo Tavarelli. A minute later, Olimpia nearly equalized when Hernan Rodrigo Lopez's long-range drive ricocheted off the post. But it was the star-studded Madrid that dominated the possession, creating one scoring chance after another. With Frenchman Zidane Zinedine masterminding the attack and mazy runs down the flanks from Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos on the left and Portugual's Luis Figo on the right, the European champions left the crowd of 66,070 roaring and applauding wildly in appreciation. In the 52nd, Ronaldo shook his defender with a deft flick of the ball but shot wide. Olimpia's best chance to go level came three minutes later, when Benitez fired a loose ball from just outside the penalty box. Spanish International 'keeper Iker Casillas had to launch himself at the ball to punch it to safety. Roberto Carlos almost extended Madrid's with a twisting left-footed drive from 40 meters out that Tavarelli tipped away with his fingertips. But it was Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierres whose header off Figo's curling cross in the 84th minute that put the game out of reach. (AP)