Fifa Club World Cup final: River cruise for Barcelona

Yokohama (Japan): Lionel Messi marked his return from illness with a brilliant goal as Barcelona beat Argentina’s River Plate 3-0 to capture a record third Club World Cup on Sunday.

 

The Spanish giants welcomed back Messi after a bout of kidney stones and the mercurial Argentine scored with a clinical finish on 36 minutes, before a lethal Luis Suarez double destroyed River’s hopes.

 

“We came here to win the title and it was important to get the job done,” said Suarez, who picked up the player of the tournament and golden boot award after finishing with five goals.

 

Neymar returning to the side after a groin strain, was instrumental in Barcelona’s opener, climbing to knock down a Dani Alves cross for Messi to steer past River goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero with a deft flick of his left boot.

 

Suarez, who scored a hat-trick in Barca’s 3-0 semifinal win over Guangzhou Evergrande, scored a second with a fierce low drive four minutes into the second half. The former Liverpool striker grabbed his second of the night when he dispatched a thumping header. 

 

 

Brazilian substitute Douglas scored a late double as Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima stunned Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 to finish third at the Club World Cup on Sunday.

Paulinho scored for Evergrande while Douglas stooped to nod home a deserved equaliser for the 70th minute. He then headed in the winner seven minutes from time.