European champions Inter Milan lifted the Club World Cup on Saturday after a 3-0 win in the Abu Dhabi final over African champions TP Mazembe
Pandev scored the opener
Eto'o inspired Inter to the title
Inter players celebrate winning the World cup
Pandev scored the opener
Substitute Biabiany completed the rout
The Nerazzuri have welcomed back Cesar and Maicon
The Italians largely dominated proceedings and had the match in their pockets once Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto'o had bagged goals in quickfire succession inside the opening 20 minutes at Zayed Sports City. Frenchman Jonathan Biabiany slid home a third to add further gloss in the closing stages as Inter succeeded last year's winners Barcelona and added to Intercontinental Cup triumphs in 1964 and 1965 - a previous incarnation of the now expanded event. Mazembe, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had already made history by becoming the first African team to reach the final after a 2-0 upset win over Copa Libertadores champions Internacional of Brazil in the semi-finals - the biggest surprise in the 10-year history of the event. But wily Inter proved a bridge too far as the experienced Italians struck early and then soaked up what limited and sporadic pressure the Africans were able to produce thereafter. Inter had gone into the game hot favourites despite the injury absence of Dutch flier Wesley Sneijder - only the latest in a spate of injuries the Milanese have suffered this season, which had led to pressure on Inter coach Rafael Benitez as he attempts to replicate the success of the club last season under Jose Mourinho. Adding the Club World Cup trophy to the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup titles masterminded by his predecessor will relieve some of that pressure on the former Liverpool boss as he looks to lift Inter in the second half of the season from their current seventh spot in Serie A. Mazembe have become a major force in the African game on the back of five league title wins in the last decade and also the last two editions of the African Champions League. But Inter proved a class above as Pandev fired home a neat left-footed poke after Eto'o had helped tee him up in the 13th minute. Cameroon star Eto'o then claimed his own piece of the limelight as he drove in an instinctive right foot drive on the turn after Champions League final hero Diego Milito had combined with Esteban Cambiasso. Milito should have made it three after beating the offside trap but drove his shot against the feet of onrushing keeper Muteba Kidiaba, who had earlier led the customary goalline pre-match prayer session for his teammates. Brazilian defender Maicon went on the attack on the hour as Inter pressed for a third in style reminiscent of his World Cup goalscoring showing against North Korea - but could only hit the outside of the post as the Europeans continued to look comfortable. Eto'o then tried to go it alone down the left rather than look for either substitute Stankovic or Milito but he ran into a forest of defenders and was hustled out of possession. Again Inter came forward and Maicon whipped over a fine cross from the right in the 73rd minute but Pandev could not quite twist his head to make sufficient contact. Inter had a brief but all too rare scare on 74 minutes when Dioko Kaluyituka went clear on goal but he lost his footing as he bore down on Inter keeper Julio Cesar, whom he tried to round but then knocked the ball too far before crumbling in a heap. Biabiany, on for Milito, bundled home the third with five minutes to go after a Stankovic chip through the middle, to ensure that a European team would take the title for the fourth consecutive time. Earlier, Internacional won the third-place play-off match 4-2 against South Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa.
Didier Drogba says there was no way he was going to throw a strop after starting Chelsea's draw at Tottenham on the bench last week. He was introduced at half-time and experienced the joy of scoring an equaliser and pain of seeing his stoppage-time penalty saved. "Because the game is very physical you know after an hour that the players on the pitch are getting tired so you get more space and more opportunities," he told Chelsea TV. "So it is important to stay focused on the bench so you can find the weakness of the opposition team, even if you are disappointed about being on the bench."
Samuel Eto'o's status as one of the world's foremost footballers was strengthened this evening when he was named as the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010's oustanding player. FC Internazionale Milano's in-form striker earned the nomination of the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG), who rewarded his outstanding performances with the adidas Golden Ball and the TOYOTA Award previously won by the likes of Kaka, Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi.
Dioko Kaluyituka and Andres D'Alessandro were also honoured with the adidas Silver and Bronze Balls respectively, while Internazionale added the Fair Play Award to their newly-acquired world crown.
Internazionale's Cameroonian No9 emerged as a worthy and popular winner of the tournament's most prestigious individual award. Throughout, Eto'o oozed class, working tirelessly and effectively for the Italian giants despite operating in a more withdrawn, left-sided role to the central position in which he first found fame. Unselfishness was perhaps the defining feature of this African icon's performances at UAE 2010, illustrated by his involvement in laying on three of Inter's six goals and typified in the magnificent pass that laid on Goran Pandev's deadlock-breaker in the final. Eto'o followed up that assist with a superb goal of his own and while his team-mates rejoiced with the trophy, he showed his human side by taking time to congratulate and commiserate with TP Mazembe Englebert's staff and players.
Rafael Benitez singled out TP Mazembe's explosive No15 as the biggest threat to Internazionale's hopes of lifting the trophy, and no wonder. Kaluyituka had been outstanding throughout the African champions' fairy tale run to the final, tormenting opposition defences with his pace, power and close control, not to mention scoring an outstanding goal in the 2-0 semi-final win over Sport Club Internacional.
The Argentinian playmaker arrived in Abu Dhabi with a reputation as O Colorado's key player and justified that status despite the Brazilians' disappointing third-place finish. Thrilling only in flashes in the semi-final defeat to TP Mazembe, D'Alessandro was back to his dazzling best in the third-place play-off, capping an outstanding individual display with one of the goals of the tournament.
Fair Play Award: F.C. Internazionale Milano The FIFA Club World Cup's top team was also its most sportsmanlike. Internazionale emerged from their triumphant campaign with a near spotless disciplinary record, picking up just one yellow card over 180 minutes of action.