MATCH REPORT

Match report copyright by Reuters

Romario scored his third goal of the World Club championship on Tuesday to give Vasco da Gama a 2-1 win over Necaxa and a place in Friday's final against fellow Brazilians Corinthians. The former Brazil international atoned for two earlier glaring misses by scoring the 69th minute winner in a dramatic, high quality match which saw both sides create a host of chances. Despite their elimination, Mexico's Necaxa played some of the best football in the tournament and will go home with their reputation hugely enhanced. Vasco, who finished top of group B with a maximum nine points from three games, had needed only a draw to qualify but fell behind to a fifth minute goal by Alex Aguinaga, one of the Cup's outstanding players. Odvan equalised shortly afterward. Necaxa, who will play Real Madrid for third place, finished second with four points, ahead of England's Manchester United on goal difference. Australia's South Melbourne were last with no points. Vasco sprung the first surprise by leaving out top striker Edmundo, who had tormented Manchester United in Vasco's 3-1 win on Saturday. Within five minutes, Necaxa stunned the home crowd when Ecuador midfielder Aguinaga calmly slotted the ball home after a quick exchange of passes sliced open the Vasco defence. The Mexicans enjoyed their lead for just seven minutes before defender Odvan, who had just come on for the injured Junior Baiano, headed in the equaliser from a corner. The normally deadly Romario then missed two excellent chances. In the 23rd minute, he scooped his shot over the bar from close range in front of the goal after being set up in excellent scoring position by Donziete. Seven minutes later, he headed Paulo Miranda's cross over the bar from six meters. Necaxa's veteran goalkeeper Hugo Pineda also palmed away free kicks by Juninho and Ramon, but the Mexicans also had their chances, coming close three times in succession in the 33rd minute. The best was wasted by Ecuador striker Agustin Delgado when he failed to make contact with an excellent cross from Jose Higareda. Vasco goalkeeper Helton made excellent saves to deny Delgado and Aguinaga early in the second half, but Necaxa's final hopes were obliterated by the goal which made Romario the tournament's joint topscorer with Real Madrid's Nicolas Anelka. Salvador Cabrera slipped in midfield and lost the ball to Juninho. He fed Romario, who raced past his marker and fired a low shot into the far corner. Necaxa never gave up and and nearly equalised, but Cabrera struck the crossbar in the 75th minute.