YOKOHAMA, Japan –UEFA Champions League kings FC Barcelona defeated South American (CONMEBOL) champions Santos FC 4-0 at the Yokohama International Stadium to win the FIFA Clubs World Cup championship on Sunday.
"I'm delighted with the team's performance and especially with the standard of play in the first half," said Barcelona Coach Josep Guardiola. "We've got a core of very talented players and the secret of our success is simple. We study our opponents closely, use space well, keep control of the ball and move it around very quickly."
Barcelona reached the final after defeating Asian champion (AFC) Al Sadd SC with a similar 4-0 in the semifinal on Thursday. Santos, the team that counted with O’ Rei Pele in the 1960’s, reached the final after taking a 3-1 win over J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol.
The match was highly publicized as a battle between Argentine International Lionel Messi of Barcelona and 19 year-old Brazilian rising star Neymar. Messi opened scoring for Barcelona and kept his magic throughout the game, while Neymar had several runs on goal only be denied by goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
“Barcelona taught us how to play soccer here today,” said Neymar at the conclusion of the game. “They are clearly the best in the world. Today was a great day to learn.”
The game was all Barcelona. The Catalan squad maintained over 70% possession of the ball during the entire match. Both Lionel Messi and Neymar had runs at the goal during the opening moments of the game. However, it was Messi’s magic that would put Barcelona on the board first.
La Pulga received a pass from Xavi in the goalkeeper’s area, where he controlled it with two light touches and chipped the sphere over keeper Rafael Cabral for the 1-0.
From this point forward the azulgranas played their style keeping control of the ball and erasing Santos from the pitch. Messi continued to break through the Copa Libertadores champions’ defense working his magic feet and pulling two to three defenders to stop his runs.
In the 24th minute Dani Alves crossed a ball past three Santos defenders to Xavi who ran in from the center to bury the ball past Cabral giving the Europeans a 2-0 lead.
Santos Coach Muricy Ramalho made his first substitution in the 31st minute pulling defender Danilo and bringing in midfielder Elano in an attempt to control the center of the field.
The cules kept playing to their rhythm, dominating control of the ball and effectively eliminating Neymar and the Santos attack from the game.
In the 45th minute Messi fought for control of possession in the goalkeeper’s area, passing the ball to Alves who centered to Thiago. The Brazilian took the shot that was deflected by Cabral. Cesc Fabregas recovered the ball and hit it in to increase Barcelona’s lead 3-0.
The second half began with a more vibrant Santos coming out to attack in the first few minutes of the match. Neymar had two opportunities to score to put Santos on the board with face-to-face shots with Valdes.
Messi made the game 4-0 at the 82nd minute of play after he received a pass from Alves. La pulga controlled the ball, beat a sliding Cabral and tapped the ball in for the final goal of the tournament.
"I don't think there is any team out there today that can beat Barcelona," said Ramalho, "though maybe someone will find the secret in the future."
Barcelona won its second Clubs World Cup championship in three years. The Golden ball trophy went to Messi, the Silver ball award to Xavi, and Neymar received the bronze ball.
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