Manchester United won the match 1–0, the winning goal scored by their captain, Roy Keane. This was United's only Intercontinental Cup triumph, having been beaten by Estudiantes in the 1968 competition. This game was Palmeiras' only appearance in the Intercontinental Cup. Ryan Giggs was given the man of the match award. Manchester United's victory made them the first and only team from England and also the British Isles to win the Intercontinental Cup.
For the 20th season in a row, as a result of the competition's sponsorship by Toyota, the match was played at a neutral venue, the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.