The Ukrainian striker headed in the only goal as the Italians overpowered Portuguese champions FC Porto, who could not find their form despite having ten players who started their winning UEFA Cup final against Celtic.

The Italians lined up with nine players from the Champions League final and dominated from the kick-off.

Milan's Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa had the first shot on goal in the third minute after a poor clearance fell to him but he shot wide.

But Shevchenko was on target with a header which beat keeper Vitor Baia to give Milan the lead in the 10th minute.

Porto's best chance came ten minutes later from a direct free kick which Deco fired off-target.

Clarence Seedorf tried a first-time shot from Shevchenko's set-up but could not find the goal, then an excellent run by the Ukrainian led to Rui Costa playing in Filippo Inzaghi after 33 minutes only for the Italian to hit the side-netting.

FC Porto's Brazilian Derlei shot over the crossbar four minutes later.

After the break Baia did well to keep out shots from Rui Costa, then Inzaghi, before Porto upped the pressure with substitute Edgaras Jankauskas seeing his effort just miss the mark eight minutes from time.

Despite a number of corners the UEFA Cup winners could find no answer, allowing the Italians to win their first international trophy of the season.