FC Barcelona vs. Boca Juniors
- Competition: Joan Gamper cup
- Date place: 16. August 2008, Barcelona – Camp Nou, ES
- Result: 2 : 1 (0:0)
- Attendance: 79.852
The Joan Gamper Trophy (named after the founder of FC BARCELONA) is played traditionally every year with an invited top class team to celebrate the new season in front of the Barça members/fans. It´s a celebration where the Club presents the new squad before the upcoming season. In 2008 it was the Argentine Club BOCA JUNIORS who would challenge Barca for the 43th trophy.
It was Boca Juniors 5th visit for this trophy which it had never won. All the more they wanted to win tonight. FC Barcelona started the 1st half with its star players (Eto´o, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta…) on the bench. The first 45 min was an equal affair with chances falling to both sides, but nothing really to highlight.
The 2nd half saw Barça bring on its above mentioned stars to go for the game, but were seriously surprised in the 73rd min when Boca player VIATRI scored after a horrible defensive mistake from Barça. In fact, Barça has a lot of work to do in defence as they concentrate so hard on attacking that they leave gaps in the rear. Boca took full advantage of this and were putting Barça in some trouble with their lightning counter attacks.
Then in the 90th min when it looked like Boca would finally win the Gamper Trophy, CARLES PUYOL headed in a brilliant equalizing goal. At this point it looked as though this year’s trophy woud be decided in a penalty shootout.
But there was more unbelievable play ahead, when Xavi crossed to SAMUEL ETO´O in the last seconds and the Camaroon forward headed in the second and winning goal to give Barça its 33rd Gamper Trophy. The crowd at the famous Nou Camp went wild almost bringing down the house.
Close call for Barça, but its a win. Need some work in defence however to stop the dangerous counter attacks. Very unlucky Boca Juniors who played an excellent game tonight in which they nearly won.
