Barcelona Won Club World Cup Crown
Lionel Messi scored an extra-time winner as Barcelona beat Estudiantes 2-1 Saturday to win the Club World Cup, the European champions' sixth trophy of 2009.
Golden Ball winner Messi chested Daniel Alves' cross into the goal in the 110th minute to secure victory in front of 43,050 fans at the Zayed Sports City stadium. Lionel Messi scored an extra-time winner as Barcelona beat Estudiantes 2-1 Saturday to win the Club World Cup, the European champions' sixth trophy of 2009.
Golden Ball winner Messi chested Daniel Alves' cross into the goal in the 110th minute to secure victory in front of 43,050 fans at the Zayed Sports City stadium.
Estudiantes had gone ahead in the 37th minute through Mauro Boselli's header before the Spanish champion's late pressure paid off as Pedro Rodriguez headed Home an equalizer against the South American champions in the 89th minute.
Barcelona's bench erupted in celebration after the come-from-behind victory, while Estudiantes players looked on in disbelief or slumped to the ground.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wept as his team prepared to lift the trophy while counterpart Alejandro Sabella said Pedro's late equalizer stunned his team, which nearly equalized in the dying moments through Leandro Desabato.
"We were so very near to achieving our dream," Sabella said. "What hurts most is that they tied it with only minutes to play."
Midfielder Xavi Hernandez called it a "historic" night.
"It's going to very dificult," Xavi said about defending the six titles. "When you look back in history you see there is only us who have done it (won six trophies in one year)."
The Copa Libertadores champions, looking for their first global title since 1968 when it was known as the Intercontinental Cup, kept Messi subdued until extra time, when the speedy Argentine ran at the defense constantly before cutting across the area to meet Alves' perfect pass. It was Messi's 16th goal this season.
Barcelona's victory allowed it to add the one missing piece of silverware to its already full trophy cabinet following final defeats in 2006 and 1992. It had already won the Champions League, Spanish league, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup and European Supercup this year.
Estudiantes had gone ahead in the 37th minute through Mauro Boselli's header before the Spanish champion's late pressure paid off as Pedro Rodriguez headed home an equalizer against the South American champions with a minute to play.
