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Barca needs extra time to claim Club World Cup

Sat 19th, December 2009

Abu Dhabi, UAE (Sports Network) - Lionel Messi's goal in extra time gave Barcelona a 2-1 win over Estudiantes in the final of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.

The European champions needed a goal from substitute Pedro Rodriguez in the 89th minute to force the extra time session after Estudiantes went in front in the 37th minute with a header from Mauro Boselli.

Barca fell behind in the first five minutes in the semifinals against Atlante, and although they avoided conceding the early goal, the opening 45 minutes were anything but easy.

Xavi thought he had won a penalty kick in the 33rd minute when he went down after a challenge from Estudiantes goalkeeper Damian Albil, but instead it was the South American champions who grabbed the lead four minutes later.

A well-placed cross from the left found its way between defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal, allowing Boselli to slip in and head the ball past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Despite a poor first half, Barca came out strong in the second half with Zlatan Ibrahimovic narrowly missing before Pedro squandered a good chance.

He nearly made up for the miss in the 69th minute with a shot that was kept out by the foot of Albil, but just when it looked like the equalizer was not in the cards, Xavi's deflected pass was headed into the path of Pedro, and he sent a looping header over the keeper and into the net.

The goal took the air out of the Argentine side, and Barca controlled the 30 minutes of extra time, getting the winning goal from Messi as he drove the ball into the net with his chest after a good pass from Xavi.