Andriy Shevchenko showed he's still the man for the big occasion, scoring the deciding goal Friday as Champions League winners AC Milan beat FC Porto 1-0 to clinch the European Supercup for the fourth time in its history.
Shevchenko, whose calmly struck spot-kick defeated Juventus last May in the Champions League final penalty shoot-out, pounced in the tenth minute of a high-tempo match at Stade Louis II stadium.
Drifting into the penalty area, Ukraine striker Shevchenko timed his jump perfectly to meet midfielder Rui Costa's pinpoint cross from the right and place a firm header past Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia.
PHOTO: EPA
"What can you say about a player like Shevchenko?" Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "He has proved time and again what a great player he is. He is the complete striker."
Milan's triumph means it joins Spanish giant Real Madrid in having won the most European trophies -- both have 15 titles in all competitions.
"With this victory, tonight, we are among the most successful teams in the world," the Milan coach said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Porto, which won last season's UEFA Cup by defeating Glasgow Celtic 3-2, was largely dominated and could have lost by a heavier margin.
Filippo Inzaghi, Shevchenko's strike partner, was lively throughout but missed good chances in each half.
In the 32nd minute he fired wide after Costa's first-time pass put him clear on goal. Then, 12 minutes into the second half, the Italy international headed over from Shevchenko's excellent cross from the right.
Porto coach Jose Mourinho complained that English referee Graham Barber favored the Italians when, in his opinion, the referee overlooked a second-half foul by Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
"Seedorf should have been sent off, but he wasn't because the referee decided not to show him a second yellow card," Mourinho said.
"This was an inexplicable decision. Maybe Milan is more important in soccer's hierarchy," the Porto coach said. "If this was a Portuguese player, I ask myself, 'Would he have made the same decision?'"
Portugal international Costa, who had an outstanding match, should have increased Milan's lead in the 60th minute but lifted his shot over the crossbar from 6m.
Porto exerted heavy pressure at times during the second half, but its lack of composure in front of goal meant Milan goalkeeper Dida was hardly tested.
With 20 minutes remaining, Porto substitute Edgaras Jankauskas slipped and fell over when attempting to sweep the ball in from 8m.
Maurinho found an unusual explanation for Jankauskas' miss.
"The field was unacceptable, and he could not stay on his feet properly. We were not happy about this."
In the 75th minute, Inzaghi burst into the penalty area and seemed favorite to score, only for Baia to deny him with an excellent save.
In the closing stages, Jankauskas hit a fifth swerving shot narrowly wide of Dida's post as the Portuguese pressed for an equalizer. The goalkeeper then made a smart save from Porto substitute Jose Bosingwa when his low shot appeared to be heading into the corner of the net.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
RSS