On this day 18 December 2010 (Exactly 9 years ago today) FC Internarnazional Milano secured their second trophy under coach Rafael Benitez with an easy victory over Congolese side TP Mazembe to win the Club World Cup at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium.
Two goals in the space of four first half minutes put paid to the gallant African champions, with Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto’o’s clinical strikes providing the foundation for a victory that was later sealed by substitute Jonathan Biabiany.
Mazembe, for all their boundless energy, were ultimately outclassed, and yet they did succeed in making an assured start to this match, even providing the first noteworthy effort when Miala Nkulukuta’s long-range shot flashed over Julio Cesar’s crossbar with ten minutes on the clock.
That their hopes were all but dashed seven minutes later was a tribute to Inter’s ruthlessness, with the Italians – as they had in the semi-final – breaking the deadlock with their first attack worthy of the description.
Goran Pandev was the player to find the net, stabbing left-footed into the bottom corner after Samuel Eto’o had split the Mazembe defence, cushioning a delightful volleyed pass into the Macedonian’s path. A goal down after just 14 minutes, the Congolese desperately needed to steady their nerves; instead, they found themselves two down just three minutes later.
TP Mazembe Englebert: Kidiaba, Kaliyutuka (Ndonga 89), Kimwaki, Kasusula, Nkulukuta, Kabangu, Bedi, Mihayo, Ekanga, Kasongo (Kanda 46), Singuluma.
Manager: Lamine N’Diaye
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Chivu (Stankovic 54), Maicon, Cordoba, Zanetti, Lucio, Motta (Mariga 87), Cambiasso, Eto’o, Milito (Biabiany 70), Pandev.
Manager: Rafael Benitex
On this day 18 December 2011 (Exactly 8 years ago today) FC Barcelona were crowned Fifa Club World Cup winners when they thrashed Brazilian side Santos 4-0 in Japan.
The win capped a remarkable year for the Spanish side in which they also won the La Liga title, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup.
The magnificent Lionel Messi scored twice, while Xavi and Cesc Fabregas were also on target as the European champions delivered a veritable football masterclass to register the biggest final win in FIFA Club World Cup history.
And the scoreline, lopsided as it was, did not in any way flatter a Barça side who produced some breathtaking football en route to reaffirming their status as the world’s foremost footballing force
We played a complete game,” captain Carles Puyol said. “It was a good game, an intense game and we’re very happy with the result.”
The match between the European and South American champions in Yokohama had been billed as a showdown between Messi, widely acknowledged as the best player in the world, and 19-year-old Brazilian star Neymar, who has been linked with a transfer to both Barca and Real Madrid.
But it was no contest – with Messi the star of match – and named the tournament’s most valuable player – as Barcelona won the competition for the second time in three seasons.
His first goal was an exquisite chip and his second saw him skilfully round the Santos keeper Cabral.
FC Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol(Andreu Fontas 85), Gerard Pique (Javier Muscherano 56), Eric Abidal, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Dani Alves, Thiago(Pedro 79), Lionel Messi
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Santos: Rafael, Bruno Rodrigo,Edu Bracena, Durval, Leo, Danilo (Elano 31), Henrique, Arouca, Ganso (Inson 83), Neymar, Borges (Alan Kardec 79)
Manager: Muricy Ramalho
On this day 18 December 2016 (Exactly 3 years ago today) Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick as Real Madrid claimed their second FIFA Club World Cup crown after defeating J.League champions Kashima Antlers in…
By: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
