FC Porto of Portugal defeated Once Caldas of Colombia 8-7 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw to win the last edition of the Inter-continental Cup.
In an amazing penalty shootout each side scored seven and missed one before Colombian defender John Edwin Garcia blasted over the bar, allowing Pedro Emanuel to slot home the winner for the European champions.
"I expected this game to be a tough match like this. But the last champions are the only champions. I am so proud of that," said Porto midfielder Maniche, who won the most valuable player’s award despite missing a shot in the penalty shootout.
South African striker Benni McCarthy, last year’s Portuguese top league goal scorer, missed the first big chance when his headed goal from a free kick in the sixth minute was ruled offside.
Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano’s angled shot hit the bar in the 17th minute and then his header was saved by Colombian keeper Juan Carlos Henao one minute later.
The Porto side failed to cash in on another golden chance in the 38th minute when Brazilian international Diego’s free kick from the middle of the Once Caldas field flashed past Henao’s left hand to hit the right post.
Luis Fabiano hit the rebound from close range, only to see it hit the bar, then McCarthy followed it up with another shot which went over the bar.
Once Caldas’ best chance before the break came in the 44th minute when Colombian international John Eduis Viafara was set free on the right side for their first shot on goal, but the effort went narrowly wide.
Porto continued to threaten the Colombian goal in the second half, but McCarthy had another goal ruled offside in the 60th minute, while his sizzling shot again hit the bar six minutes later.
Shortly before the end of normal time, Henao showed fine reflexes to stop yet another McCarthy shot, this time from close-range, to send the tie into extra time.
Porto suffered a major set back when keeper Vitor Baia, who was chosen as UEFA’s best goalkeeper last season, was stretchered off in the 104th minute to be replaced by Nuno.
But the European side seemed to slow down against a defensive Colombian side in the latter half of extra time, looking weary after having playing Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday. The game petered out goalless before the drama of the penalty shootout.
