67,128 people at the International Stadium in Yokohama saw substitute Adriano’s late goal give Internacional a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Club World Cup final.
After a slow start, Internacional’s Alexandre Pato headed a corner just over the bar, which prompted Barcelona into action, with Ronaldinho going close when a rebounded Giovanni van Bronckhorst shot landed in his path.
Eidur Gudjohnsen and Ronaldinho had several other good chances, while the Barcelona defence stood firm against any Internacional attacks.
Pato, who had scored in the two previous games, was taken off after 61 minutes and his replacement Luiz Adriano gave Internacional more cutting edge as Barcelona’s patience started to run out.
But it was another Internacional substitute, 19-year-old Adriano, on for the injured captain Fernandao, who was picked out on the break by Iarly to flick the ball into the net for the winner.
Ronaldinho’s almost got an equaliser when his free-kick flashed wide late on but Internacional held on.
“I can’t believe I scored the goal that won the world club title,” said the 19-year-old Adriano. “We’ve beaten Barcelona and it was a very satisfying performance. They were strong in the first half but we played as a cohesive unit.”
Internacional coach Abel Braga said: “I said yesterday that we didn’t need to fear Barcelona.
“We shut the players in a room for 15 minutes yesterday to get their spirits up for this game. I really think my team is the best in the world.”
INTERNACIONAL (BRA) 1 x 0 FC BARCELONA (Spain)
Location: estádio de Yokohama (Japão)
Date: Sunday, 17th of Dec 2006
Ref: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)
Assistans: Leonel Leal (Costa Rica) and Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)
Goal: Adriano, 36th min of 2nd half
INTERNACIONAL
Clemer, Ceará, Fabiano Eller, Índio & Rubens Cardoso; Wellington Monteiro, Edinho, Alex (Vargas) & Fernandão (Adriano); Iarley & Alexandre Pato (Luiz Adriano)
Coach: Abel Braga
BARCELONA
Valdez, Zambrotta (Belletti), Puyol, Márquez & Bronckhorst; Motta (Xavi), Iniesta, Deco e Giuly; Ronaldinho & Gudjohnsen (Ezquerro)
Coach: Frank Rijkaard
