Rate it!

0 votes

The Argentine side were far from their best in the match though and had to play the last 25 minutes with only 10 men after Fabian Andres Vargas was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

However, despite a spirited performance, African Champions Etoile lacked the cutting edge in front of goal that could have seen them pick up an upset victory.

Boca will now face European champions Milan or Japan's Urawa Reds in Sunday's final.

Cardozo's goal came just before half-time and it was actually the Copa Libatadoras winner's first shot on target in the whole game.

A lovely ball from veteran Martin Palermo found Rodrigo Palacio on the left and then he played a clever low pass into Cardozo who was able to smash into the roof of the net from class range.

Boca were better in the second-half and former Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta and Palermo both came close with headers, while Alvaro Gonzalez was denied a clear penalty by Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen.

Etoile though were still matching Boca in most areas of the pitch but they struggled to create too many clear cut openings and the shots that they did get on target usually lacked the sufficient power to trouble Mauricio Ariel Caranta in the Boca goal.

They also failed to take full advantage of the extra man for the final 25 minutes, although substitute Gilson Manuel Silva Alves had their best chance of the game just at the death but he could only head into the side netting after a great Saber Ben Frej cross.

Boca won three World Club Cups in its old Intercontinental Cup format and last won the trophy in 2003 after a penalty shoot-out victory over Sunday's likely opponents Milan.

Seán Fay / Eurosport