In January 2000, the iconic Maracanã stadium bore witness to a seismic clash between Vasco da Gama and Manchester United at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. For Alex Ferguson’s United, fresh from their historic 1999 treble triumph, this was intended to be a crowning moment of global supremacy. Instead, it became an unforgettable night for all the wrong reasons.
Far from showcasing United’s stars, the evening belonged to Vasco’s Brazilian strike force, the mercurial Edmundo and the legendary Romário. The duo delivered a masterclass in attacking football, tearing apart a bewildered United defence in the opening 45 minutes. Romário, whose glittering career didn't need introducing to the Worldwide football audience, struck twice in the first half. Both goals were scored in quick succession, capitalising on a series of calamitous back-passes by Gary Neville, delivered just two minutes apart.
Yet, the true highlight of the evening came courtesy of Edmundo. Moments before the break, he produced a goal of pure artistry from a player known as "O Animal." Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Edmundo flicked it past Mikael Silvestre with nonchalant elegance, spun around his marker, and unleashed a clinical finish that left the United defender in a heap on the Maracanã turf. The goal was nothing short of genius, a moment of brilliance that encapsulated the gap between the two sides on the night.
Reflecting on the humiliation, Silvestre candidly admitted, “Only geniuses can do what Edmundo did to me for his goal.”
Manchester United: Bosnich, G. Neville, Irwin, Silvestre, Stam, Butt, Giggs, P. Neville, Keane, Yorke, Solskjaer. Substitutes: Rachubka, Van Der Gouw, Higginbottom, Cole, Sheringham, Cruyff, Greening, Wilson, Berg, Wallwork, Fortune. Suspended: Beckham
Vasco de Gama: Helton, Jorginho, Galvao, Amaral, Felipe, Juninho, Ramon, Edmundo, Romario, Gilberto, Junior Baiano. Substitutes: Germano, Marcio, Odvan, Donizete, Torres, Miranda, Pedrinho, Valber, Viola, Oliveira, Nasa, Alex.
The match finished 3-1 as Vasco secured a victory that shocked the footballing world. For United, it was a humbling experience. The tournament, far from being a celebration of their dominance, became a footnote best forgotten in the club’s history.