Barcelona showed a splendid performance to prove the gimmick of being the best in the world by beating Santos with a margin of 4 goals to become the Club World Cup Champions for the season 2010-11 here in Japan.
Two goals from Messi and one each by Xavi and Fabregas helped the Spanish and European Champions of last season to become the World Champions second time in three years.
Also, the star for Barcelona in this match, Lionel Messi claims his personnel award beating Neymar (Santos) and Xavi (Barcelona) to become Club World Cup player of the tournament.
Brazilians kept it tight for Barcelona before 17th minute when Messi showed why he is considered the best player on Planet. He picked a well-located pass from Xavi and flicked it over the head of Santos defenders and a hard dive from the Santos keeper couldn’t stop Barcelona to take one goal lead.
In just five minutes Santos were again in trouble as they failed to cut a mid-field pass received by Xavi who made a strong run before sliding it pass the Santos keeper to make it 2-0 for Barcelona. Santos striker Borges created some difficulties for Barcelona defenders after the second goal but couldn’t convert his hard work into goals and it could have been three before 30 minutes if Fabregas’ volley didn’t struck the goal post.
Just before the half time, Santos keeper punched a nice cross by Dani Alves throwing the ball straight to Fabregas, who was in hunt for his first goal in the match, sliding the ball home and making the score line 3-0 for Barcelona in the half time.
Second half was not too easy for Barcelona as Santos showed their class by attacking continuously on Barcelona’s goal but Valdes was standing strong on way of every attack made by Santos. Barcelona also got a few chances but couldn’t take advantage before 83rd minute when Messi was found free by a Dani Alves pass on the edge of the box and Messi finished it with style for Barcelona making it 4-0 for the evening.
Guardiola’s side claimed their second World Champions trophy in three years as they lifted the trophy in 2009 as well. Also they secured a quintuple for 2011, adding the trophy into their trophy cabinet along with Champions League, La Liga, European Super Cup and Super Copa. Messi claimed the trophy of Club World Cup Player of the Tournament.
GeoSuper