Barca thump Santos to become Club World Cup champions

It had been billed (at least in the Brazilian media) as game of the year; Messi versus Neymar; the European champions against South America’s best. But, in the end it was just another Barcelona rout.

Pep Guardiola’s men produced another technically brilliant performance that saw the game virtually finished as a contest within the first 24 minutes.

The Barca boss had opted for even more midfield creators as Xavi and Cesc Fabregas came into the side that beat Al Sadd on Thrusday and Santos simply couldn’t get the ball from the Barca front six which comprised of those two plus Leo Messi, Thiago, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves.

Messi needed a goal to complete the record set by Pedro in 2009 of scoring in all six club competitions in a calendar year and he inevitably got it 16 minutes in. Xavi’s wonderful control with the outside of his right foot allowed him to pick out the Argentine who lobbed the ball over the onrushing Rafael.

Xavi himself made it two midway through the first period as Alves – who was exceptional all game down the right side – crossed for the Spain midfielder to slot home his seventh goal of the season.

Barcelona were enjoying over 70% of possession and, unlike on some occasions this season, were turning that control of the ball into clear-cut chances. Fabregas was the next to go close as his shot came back off the post, but the former Arsenal captain didn’t have to wait long to get his goal. More excellent play from Messi and Alves forced Rafael to palm the Brazilian’s cross into the heart of the box, the Santos keeper did well to get up and deny Thiago but the ball fell kindly for Fabregas to roll into the empty net.

The second period followed much the same pattern although Santos did pose slightly more of a threat. Neymar had been a virtual spectator in the first-half and his assertion afterwards that “today we were taught how to play football” may hint that a move to Europe is now the natural progression for him, but even when he was given decent service he failed to find a way past Victor Valdes as the Barca keeper stood up to block his weak effort as he ran through on goal on the hour mark.

Fabregas and Alves had passed up great chances to extend the advantage at the other end but it was fitting that Messi should have the final say after what was, even by his standards, a quite brilliant performance. Alves again played a key role as he broke through the middle of the Santos defence before laying the ball inside for Messi to round the goalkeeper and tap home amazingly his 30th goal of the season.

Victory means Guardiola has now won 13 out of the 16 trophies available since he took over at the Camp Nou three and a half years ago and given their resurgence in the past fortnight it is hard to see Barca not building on that tally in the New Year.

FT: Barcelona 4 (Messi 17 & 82 , Xavi 24, Fabregas 43) Santos 0

Tags: Barcelona, Club World Cup, Messi, Neymar, Santos