An epic sixth title (2-1)

Match

Marcador del partit

Date: Saturday, 19 Dec
Competition: ???label.competicio10???
Stadium: Zayed, Abu Dhabi

Resultat:

FC Barcelona: 2
Estudiantes LP: 1

Match report

Match Report
Pre-Match

Match Report

Photo: Miguel Ruiz (FCB).

More info

Goals

0-1, Boselli (min 37)
1-1, Pedro (min 88)
2-1, Messi (min 110)

Roger Boguny� (enviat especial)

Bar�a have been crowned world champions for the first time ever after 120 truly scintillating minutes of epic football. After going a goal behind, Pedro equalised with just a minute to go, and Messi scored the title-winning goal in extra time.

If there is one team that deserved this, then that team was FC Barcelona. Once again they had to come from behind, once again they did that by playing consistent, patient and frankly outstanding football. They were vastly superior to the gritty Argentinian outfit and also had to deal with some bizarre refereeing decisions. For Estudiantes, it was a matter of taking the lead through Boselli and then hanging onto their lead at whatever cost.

And they almost got what they wanted. But then in the 89th minute Pedro did what the injured Iniesta did against Chelsea and equalised just when it looked like the dream could be over. The tension was unbearable as the game went into extra time, but Bar�a looked as solid as ever and stayed faithful to the football that has achieved so much this year. The Argentinians were tiring more and more, and finally it was their compatriot Leo Messi who grabbed the winner, with his chest! And that was it. Bar�a have finally won their first ever Clubs World Cup, and an unrepeatable 2009 is over in which the club has won all six of the titles in play. It is impossible to have asked for more!

Balanced opening

The game started with both sides testing each other. The first chance fell to Estudiantes, the second to Bar�a, and then Xavi squandered a chance when he was through on the keeper. From then on, it was an evenly matched affair, and that was all thanks to the permissiveness of the referee, who seemed far readier to penalise Bar�a’s free kicks, and following a series of tough challenges on Leo Messi, even had the audacity to book him for diving.

Referee and Boselli

This was the game Estudiantes wanted. It was a stop-start affair, and Bar�a couldn’t get things flowing the way they like. It was a hard-hitting encounter, and Estudiantes clearly weren’t in Abu Dhabi to play beautiful football. With the game-plan based almost entirely on counter attacks, their three centre backs certainly managed to thwart most of Barcelona’s plans. And to typify the way things were going, a delightful Bar�a move ended with Albil clearly bringing down Xavi. A red card and a penalty seemed the obvious solution, but the referee preferred to award a goal kick.

Five minutes later, Estudiantes went on a rare break, and a cross from the left from D�az was met by Boselli, who beat both Puyol and Abidal to the ball. The leading goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores may have been a few inches offside, but there was nothing Vald�s could do about his header.

Danger down the left

Like in the semi final against Atlante, there was plenty of time to react. Guardiola maintained the calm, but did send on Pedro in place of Keita to gain some movement down the wings and take some of the physicality out of midfield. There was already enough of that thanks to the Argentinians, while Bar�a needed to get the game flowing the way they like. The improvements came. Henry and Ibrahimovic constantly found themselves in dangerous positions, but the goal just didn’t want to come.

Pedro seals the miracle

It was a non-stop onslaught on the ‘Pincharrata’ goal. Guardiola even moved Piqu� into an attacking position, thus providing an alternative to Ibrahimovic, who just wasn’t having his day. And it was the centre back who managed to get his head onto the ball to send it towards Perdo, who never fails from that position. Just when it had looked like Barcelona were going to suffer a cruel and undeserved defeat, Pedro was there to take the game into extra time.

Jeffren makes ground

Tour� and Jeffren had already come on for Busquets and Henry when the goal was scored, and both contributed to the continuation of a game in which Bar�a dominated possession in extraordinary fashion. Meanwhile, Estudiantes were clearly demoralised, but more importantly, physically exhausted. The way Jeffren had Clemente beaten for pace was creating chance after chance, but after 105 minutes, it was still 1-1.

The best team wins

The Argentinians were clearly hoping to run down the clock and chance their luck in a penalty shoot-out. Bar�a don’t play football that way. They only like to win by showing that they are the better team. And they did, and all thanks to the best player in the world. Alves crossed from the right, and there was Messi to send the ball goalward with his chest, or perhaps better put, with his heart, the ball striking him just where the crest of his beloved club appears on the famous Bar�a shirt. It was one of the most beautiful moments in the entire history of this incredible club. The crowning moment for a team that has rewritten the history books.

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Preview

Fotos: Archive FCB

Mexican Ref

The Mexican Benito Archundia, will ref the mange with a fellow countryman and a Canadian running the lines.

Final assault on World throne

Roger Boguny� (special correspondant)

Bar�a face Estudiantes de La Plata at 17.00 this evening (Ra@dio Bar�a) in the final of the World Club Cup, a title they have never yet won in their long history. The only negative for Guardiola is the absence of Iniesta, injured against Atlante.

Barca will be out to emulate Pedro's feat of scoring in six different competitions by taking their sixth title of the year . As Guardiola revealed on Friday, the players are well aware that they have a unique opportunity to make history, not just by adding to their stunning list of titles this year, but also by winning a competition the club have never taken, having lost in the 1992 and 2006 finals.

Win or lose, this team is a legend

The game puts an end to the most successful year in the club's history. Five titles so far is a magnificent achievement and nobody could question the team's place as a club legend were they to fall at this final hurdle, but a win would ensure a place in the club's pantheon of heroes. Their opponents this evening, Estudiantes, won their first title by beating Manchester United in 1968, the same United that Barca beat in May's Champions League Final and who are the current World Club champions. This evening, Catalans and Argentineans will fight it out to decide who is now top of the world game.

Iniesta out, but Messi will play

Barca will have to play this most important game without Andres Iniesta and with Keita, who only started training with the rest of the group on Friday, doubtful. Messi, who was doubtful until kick off in the semi final with an injured ankle, looks to have overcome his problems and Guardiola will thus be able to count on 21 or 22 of his 23 man squad.

Estudiantes promise a threat

Although Estudiantes are not at the peak of their form right now, having declared themselves the underdogs for the game, Barca will be well aware that this is the role that best suits their Argentinian opponents who lifted the Copa Libertadores against Cruzeiro five months ago. Led by Vern and striker Boselli, Estudiantes will be aiming to repeat their win of 41 years ago against United. Make no mistake, this will be a tough game for both teams with glory the prize for one of the teams.