Barça on course for world crown

Barça on course for world crown

FC Barcelona are through to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after a conclusive 4-0 victory against CONCACAF champions Club América in Yokohama.

Sunday date
The UEFA Champions League holders will now meet their South American counterparts SC Internacional de Porto Alegre in Sunday's showpiece. Frank Rijkaard will expect that to be a tougher proposition than today's semi-final encounter with Mexican outfit América. Eidur Gudjohnsen put Barça on their way before Rafael Márquez - against his countrymen - Ronaldinho and Deco wrapped things up in a match played in driving rain.

Early breakthrough

The game swung firmly in the European side's favour on just ten minutes when Gudjohnsen pounced with a volley following good work from Andrés Iniesta. Márquez made it two on the half-hour, scoring from a corner. Barcelona added two more after the interval. Ronaldinho scored from close range in the 63rd minute before turning provider in the closing stages for Deco to wrap things up.

'Fantastic crowd'

A delighted Ronaldinho said: "We got off to a good start and we're happy. The crowd was fantastic and it was like playing in Barcelona.

Now we have a tough final to play because our opponents are very fit and strong, but the pressure isn't on us because we’re not the favourites." Brazilian contenders Internacional reached the final yesterday with a 2-1 victory against Al-Ahly SC of Egypt, the African representatives, and hope to match the achievement of São Paulo FC a year ago, who beat Liverpool FC 1-0 to win the newly-revamped competition.
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