Barcelona are winners of the 2015 Club World Cup following their 3-0 victory over Argentine club River Plate on Sunday night at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.A Lionel Messi first half goal was followed by a Luis Suárez brace in the second half, as Barcelona claimed their third Club World Cup title in style. Unlike Thursday’s semifinal in which Messi and Neymar were unavailable, the Argentine and Brazilian, respectively, were back into the fold on Sunday and joined Suárez in attack.
In midfield it was the usual trio of Andres Iniesta, Ivan Raktic and Sergio Busquets, while in the back the familiar faces of Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba lined up in front of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Ever since the confetti fell at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires in celebration of their Copa Libertadores final victory over Mexican club Tigres last August, River Plate have been aching to play this match, and they came out like a pack of wolves the European champions. River’s strategy was apparent early on: Pressure Barcelona, be physical with Messi and Neymar, and look to take advantage of set pieces.But if River were to have any shot, they would need goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero to be at his finest and he gave an early glimpse that he was up for the task when he saved from Messi in the 11th minute, diving low to stop a shot from the Rosario native.
River’s intense pace of the first 20 minutes naturally lowered as the half wore on, and soon Marcelo Gallardo’s men reverted to more of a defensive shape while looking to strike Barcelona on the counter. However, through the first half hour River only mustered a few shots from distance that barely troubled Bravo.
Messi had seen little of the ball in the first period, but if there is anyone in football who can change the course of a match with one touch, it’s Messi, and he did just that in the 36th minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead. Suárez floated in a cross that Neymar headed to Messi, who took a touch off his chest before poking a shot past Barovero.
Replays showed that the ball also struck the arm of Messi, however there was no whistle from the referee, much to the chagrin of the 22,000-plus River supporters in attendance.Suárez then had a golden opportunity to make it a 2-0 affair on the brink of halftime thanks to a run and pass from Messi, but the Uruguayan’s shot skipped just wide of an onrushing Barovero. But four minutes into the second half Suárez was presented with another chance, and this time he took it with aplomb, finishing past Barovero. It was all set up by a superb pass from Busquets who looped a pass to the onside Suárez in acres of space on the right flank.
The second goal undid River, who had to push up higher in search of a goal, leaving Barcelona even more room to work with in the River half. Only the interventions of Barovero prevented a third Barcelona goal by the hour mark.Barcelona’s champagne football was on full display in the second half, and Suárez sealed the title by heading home in the 69th minute after a perfect pass in from Neymar to make it 3-0.Despite the three-goal deficit, River still searched for a goal and nearly got it in the 77th minute when Lucas Alario snapped a header toward goal, but Bravo was alert enough to save to keep the clean sheet intact.
Seven minutes later it was Pity Martínez coming close, but his lashed left-footer was parried away by Bravo.That would be the final occasion for either side, as Barcelona calmly finished out the match to claim their fifth trophy of the calendar year, nearly matching their sextuple back in 2009.Following a break over Christmas, Barcelona will return to action to cap off their memorable 2015 with a home date against Betis.
