Lionel Messi celebrates goal (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

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Barcelona finally took center stage in Abu Dhabi and did not disappoint in the semifinals of the Club World Cup as they got past CONCAChampion winner Atlante on Wednesday 3-1 and will now face Copa Libertadores champs Estudiantes on Saturday.  Although the reigning European champions are heavy favorites to win the competition, they did have to struggle early on to take advantage of a side that had important players such as Santiago Solari and Federico Vilar. 

The Blaugrana were caught sleepwalking.  There was very little rhythm in their game and it was the Mexican side that took the game to the European champs. Atlante took the lead early when a ball got over a rushing Victor Valdés in the fourth minute and Francisco Rojas put Atlante on the board.  Vilar took advantage of a Sergio Busquets foul and kicked the ball deep; over the head of the sector defended by Dani Alves and Rafael Márquez, who were caught pushed up more than they should have.  Guillermo Rojas took advantage of the bouncing ball tapping over the outstretched Victor Valdes and knocked 

 

Gol de Guillermo Rojas (Atlante 1 - Barcelona 0)

 

Barca would remain patient for the next 30 minutes trying to find space in a near-hermetic Atlante defense who bore down and were ready to hang on for dear life for 86 minutes.  That brave stand lasted until a corner by Xavi would connect with Touré Yaya.  The Ivory Coast international headed the ball down to Sergio Busquets snatched the ball out of midair, first time. and exquisitely got the ball past Vilar and into the Atlante net for the equalizer. That was the goal that turned the game around for Barcelona as some key adjustments by Josep Guardiola made the difference in the end.

 

Gol de Sergio Busquets (Atlante 1 - Barcelona 1)

 

 

Messi didn't take long to make his impact felt.  A slick pass by Ibrahimovic capped off a 17-pass possession with Messi's shot on goal against his Albiceleste teammate. The shot deflected off Vilar's hand and dribbled into the net to give Barca the lead for good.

 

Gol de Messi (Atlante 1 - Barcelona 2)

 

Historic Pedro

In a span of six months the career of youth player Pedro changed 180 degrees.Not only that, he also made history at the international level by becoming the first player ever to score goals in six different competitions in a single calendar year. Andres Iniesta would leave the Barca phenom in a one-on-one situation against Vilar and the youngster would find his place in immortality as he became the first player in history to score goals in six different competitions in a single calendar year.  The Iniesta millimetric pass was awe-inspiring and was the perfect ending to a match for him as he would have to leave the match a few minutes later after he aggravated a thigh injury.

 

 

Gol de Pedro (Atlante 1 - Barcelona 3)

 

This win sets up the showcase match of the tournament as Barcelona will have to deal with a injury-riddled yet combative Estudiantes side if they expect to win that elusive title.  They will also have to do it without an injured Iniesta and possibly without Seydou Keita who complained of calf problems.  That should not be a challenge for them as they have come in focused like no other Barcelona team to conquer the last obstacle they needed to overcome to reach that next level and assert themselves as Hex Team.