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Match

Marcador del partit

  • Date: Sunday, 17 Dec
  • Competition: ???label.competicio10???
  • Stadium: null, null

Resultat:

  • Internacional: 1
  • FC Barcelona: 0

Match report

Match Report

The goal

1-0, Adriano (min. 82)

Barça miss out on Club World Cup (1-0)

Barça have lost to Internacional of Port Alegre (1-0) in the final of the Club World Cup. In one of the few chances they managed to create, the Brazilians broke the deadlock with Adriano's goal in the 81st minute.

So, it wasn't to be. An Adriano goal eight minutes from time was enough to seal a famous victory for Internacional de Porto Alegre. Barça looked the better side for most of the game, and certainly created by far the most chances. But Rijkaard had already warned his players before the match just how dangerous the South Americans can be, and especially Brazilian clubs, when playing in this tournament. Barça, then, were unable to complete a historic triple of Spanish, European and World titles, but can come back from Japan with their heads held high after a couple of impressive displays.

Cautious

The two teams knew each other well and much of the early throes of the game were about mutual respect as the two rivals sized each other up. Fernandao and Motta had their eyes firmly fixed on each other, while Ronaldinho was pegged down by a very tight man-marking job by Ceará. Internacional based their early attacks on long range efforts that Barça had no trouble dealing with, while they in turn preferred to work their way into Clémer's area, but couldn't find the space to get the shots in. Pato, Iarley and Fernandao all showed that they were capable of causing potential danger, but both Puyol and Márquez were having great games and seemed to have everything under control. Barça, meanwhile, were finding it very hard to get the ball moving down the left, and started concentrating almost all their efforts on the right side of the pitch, with Zambrotta playing in an advanced role.

Initiative

It was only late in the first half that Barça really started to gain control of the match. Their first clear-cut opportunity was a long range strike from Gio, and shortly after Clémer pulled off a save from Ronaldinho and the Catalan side started showing what they are really made of. Iniesta was starting to look far more comfortable, Ronaldinho was seeing more of the ball, Deco was putting in a performance that would make him the official man of the match and Gudjohnsen was causing all kinds of problems for the Inter centre backs. The Icelander enjoyed most of the scoring opportunities and Ronaldinho had a couple from outside the area, but the goal just did not want to come. Internacional were doing very little of note other than defending heroically, apart from an Indio strike on 38th minute that never looked like going in.

Changes

Neither coach seemed happy with what was going on, and the substitutions came thick and fast. Rijkaard brought Belletti on for Zambrotta in an attempt to add more offensive strength to the team, while Vargas came on for Alex to bring more muscle to the Internacional midfield. The pace of the game eased off and with Barça still unable to break the deadlock, despite dominating the proceedings, Rijkaard decided it was time to try Xavi instead of Motta. And the newcomer was involved in two great moves within seconds of coming on. The first was a delightful one-two, but the final shot was intercepted by a very secure Clémer and in the second he sent a pinpoint pass across the face of the goal for Gudjohnsen to get on the end of, but Fabiano Eller brilliantly tackled the Icelander to send the ball behind for a corner.

Final disappointment

And then it all went wrong on 82 minutes. When it looked like Internacional might just hold on and take the game into extra time, the Brazilians broke away on a speedy counter attack that Adriano finished off in style. It was only the second shot they had put on target all game, and there it was, in the back of the net. More frustrating impossible. Barça immediately set about righting the wrong, but time was running out fast, even though they could have equalised on three separate occasions. Deco found himself almost repeating that amazing semi final goal, Ronaldinho put two free kicks just wide of the post and Iniesta nearly scored from inside the six yard box. But luck just was not on Barça's side and Internacional cleverly did all they could to waste time as the clock ticked down to their first ever Club World Cup. Barça will probably feel they deserved to win today, but the world title will have to wait at least one more year. For the time being, it is congratulations to Internacional, and very hard luck to FC Barcelona.


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