MIAMI — Perhaps the most effective method of quieting the large and vocal Atlético Nacional fans was for AS Monaco to score early.
Well it worked.
Monaco’s two first half goals inside of 16 minutes was efficient enough in rout to a 4-2 victory in the second game of the Copa EuroAmericana tournament played before 15,102 fans at Marlins Park on Wednesday.
The win gives the UEFA Confederation (Europe) a 2-0 lead, just two matches into the tournament.
Nacional made it interesting when Santiago Trellez scored his second goal of the match in the 88th minute, cutting their deficit to 3-2.
Monaco ended the suspense, adding a final tally in extra time by Yannick Carrasco’s second goal of the night.
It was second soccer match played in Marlins Park history. The came in November of 2012 when 13,000 fans saw Nigeria defeat Venezuela 3-1 in an international friendly.
Dimitar Berbatov scored his second goal in as many matches in the tournament in the 16th that gave Monaco the two goal lead. It was his 221st career goal for the 33-year-old forward.
Berbatov, who only joined the team in January, scored a spectacular goal in Monaco’s 1-0 win over Junior on Sunday.
Apparently Monaco didn’t need the services of Colombian forward James Rodriguez, who had signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid on Tuesday. Rodriguez had six goals for Colombia in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
They also didn’t need forward Radamel Falcao either. The Colombian forward is still recovering from a knee injury that kept him from playing in the World Cup. Falcao is reported to being courted by Manchester City.
Nacional looked ragged at times at each end of the pitch throughout the first half. While the four defenders in the final third allowed to much spacing for the Monaco attack, their own offensive threat of Edwin Cardona, Luis Paez and Orlando Berrio weren’t good enough with their final touch.
Cardona had Nacional’s best opportunity of the first half with a shot on target in the 10th minute at the near post. Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic was in good position to make the easy save.
Cardona had a similar chance in the 55th minute from nearly the same spot on the field to the post. It was also stopped by Subasic.
Finally their was reason for the Nacional crowd to rise from their seats and celebrate when forward Santiago Trellez scored his second career goal for Nacional in the 63rd minute that cut the Monaco lead to 3-1.
The goal was set up beautifully by Berrio, who centered the ball from the left wing just past Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour, to the feet of Trellez.
Monaco, who has already qualified for the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League, nearly earned their three goal margin just minutes later when Carrasco beat his defender into the box. His shot went between the legs of Martinez, but before it could cross the line, it was cleared by a Nacional defender.
Atlético National didn’t have a result they earned last July.
One year to the day they defeated Seville (Spain) 1-1 (5-4 in penalty kicks) in the inaugural Copa EuroAmericana tournament. It was only one of two matches South American would win during the tournament as the European teams won the 6-2.
Wednesday’s outcome was evidence how much of better side Monaco was.
The red and white French side was more established inside the penalty box.
Just six minutes into the match Anthony Martial scored his third career goal for the French club beating keeper Luis Martinez after a nice feed from Valére Germain for a 1-0 lead.
Following Berbatov’s goal, Monaco added its third goal of the half when Fabinho scored in the 39th minute.
Neither AS Monaco or Atlético Nacional have another match in the tournament.
The Copa EuroAmericana resumes on Saturday with a pairs of matches when Estudiantes de La Plata faces Fiorenthia in Argentina and Alianza Lima plays Valencia in Lima, Peru. The San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer hosts Atlético Madrid at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.
The tourney concludes Aug. 2 when Universitario meet Fiorentina in Peru.
