A hugely controversial goal helped Corinthians overcome African champions Raja Casablanca 2-0 in Sao Paulo early this morning.
The incident came in the 68th minute when Corinthians defender Fabio Luciano fired a shot against the Raja crossbar following a goalmouth scramble.
The ball bounced down and was cleared by a defender, but referee Stefano Braschi ruled that it had crossed the line and awarded a goal. Television replays clearly showed, however, that the ball did not go over the line.
Corinthians players, who did not claim a goal, seemed as surprised as anyone.
Luizao had given the Brazilian side a 50th-minute lead when he slid in at the far post to prod home a superb cross from the right wing by Marcelinho just as the Moroccan team appeared to be defending comfortably.
Raja played plenty of neat football, created several good chances but were let down by their failure to get in enough shots on goal. They were pressing for an equaliser when they unluckily conceded the second goal.
CORINTHIANS: Dida, Indio, Carlos, Vampeta (Edu 89), Kleber, Marcelinho (Senna 76), Rincon, Luizao (Dinei 83), Edilson, Ricardinho, Luciano. Subs Not Used: Mauricio, Daniel, Costa, Baiano, Augusto, Mario, Gilmar, Adilson. Goals: Luizao 49, Luciano 64.
RAJA CASABLANHaimeur, El Karkouri, Misbah, Safri, Jrindou, Moustaoudia, Kharbouch, Nejjary, Aboub, Ereyahi, Khoubbache (Achami 59). Subs Not Used: Bouabdellaoui, Sarraj, Daakali, Khoubbache, Armounen, El Moubarki, Hafid, Miki, Nater, Kherazi, Rizki. Booked: Jrindou, Chadli, Misbah.
Attendance: 25,000.
Referee: S Braschi (Italy).
