Chelsea: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

 

Chelsea FC have been crowned the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ champions after a superb performance by Cole Palmer guided the Premier League side to a resounding final victory over ten-man Paris Saint-Germain.

In a blockbuster final at the MetLife Stadium, Palmer scored twice in an eight-minute spell in the opening half and then set up Joao Pedro just before the break to set up the Blues for a deserved triumph over the European champions.

Luis Enrique's side, who were chasing a quadruple of major trophies during the 2024/25 campaign, were rocked by Chelsea's first-half onslaught and looked a shadow of the team who demolished Real Madrid C.F. in the semi-finals.

The Londoners' devastating performance provided a fitting climax to a hugely successful tournament and cements their status as one of the teams to beat in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League next season.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca made two changes from his side's semi-final victory over Fluminense FC, with Levi Colwill and Reece James coming in for Tosin Adarabioyo and Christopher Nkunku respectively, while Joao Pedro kept his place up front.

These moves paid off, with the Blues looking extremely dangerous from the outset. Palmer showed his intent when he came close to opening the scoring in just the seventh minute with a curling left-footed effort that flew just wide.

PSG soon found their footing and Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella reacted brilliantly to block a dangerous pass across goal by Desire Doue that was directed towards Achraf Hakimi.

But Chelsea continued to push and took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Joao Pedro attacked down the right and squared the ball to Palmer, who found the corner of the net in style.

With confidence now soaring, Palmer doubled Chelsea's lead with a copycat effort when he weaved his way forward to the edge of the PSG area and caressed a sublime left-footed effort into the same bottom corner.

The England international then capped an incredible first-half display when he weighted a perfect through ball to Joao Pedro, who chipped the ball neatly over Gianluigi Donnarumma for his third goal in two games.

PSG had no answers for Chelsea's defensive set-up and Liam Delap almost scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Any hopes of a comeback ended when Joao Neves was sent off six minutes from time for pulling Cucurella's hair as Chelsea held on to seal their place in football history.

Quotes

"It’s a great feeling. The gaffer put a great game plan out. He knew where there would space and tried to free me up as much as possible. I just had to repay him and score some goals. He [Enzo Maresca] is building something special. I feel we’re going in the right direction."

Cole Palmer, Chelsea midfielder

“I have no words for the players. For me, we won the game in the first ten minutes. We set the tempo, we knew the way we wanted to play. Today we found a position for Cole [Palmer[ where there was more space to attack. The effort from all the players has been fantastic.”

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach

"It's not just when you win that you do a good job. What we did this season was something we'd never done before. Thirteen years ago in Paris, I'd never competed for titles like this. Of course, we wanted to take this trophy home, but that doesn't erase what we did this season."

Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain defender

FFXIV Misadventures: The Club World Cup Hunt

#FFXIV #ClubWorldCup

Manchester City: 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Goals: Alvarez (1, 88), Nino OG (27), Foden (72)

Man of the Match: Julian Alvarez (MCI)

Manchester City made history by beating Fluminense 4-0 to win the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™. It saw them become the first English team to conquer the competition at their first attempt – Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea had failed – and Pep Guardiola outrank Carlo Ancelotti and claim and outright-record fourth crown as coach.

The roar from kick-off had barely settled when the fastest goal in the tournament’s history snapped the deadlock. Fabio fingertipped a Nathan Ake curler from outside the box on to the post, and Julian Alvarez chested the ball into the unguarded net.

City doubled the lead when Rodri cannily slipped Phil Foden through and the latter’s centre was inadvertently diverted into the Fluminense net by Nino.

Guardiola's side continued to control the game and they made it 3-0 18 minutes from time. Alvarez was the creator on this occasion, sending in an inviting cross which the onrushing Foden slotted in from close range.

The outstanding Alvarez rounded off the scoring late in the game when he rifled an unstoppable finish beyond Fabio after some sublime close control.

Real Madrid: 2022 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Real Madrid produced an exhilarating display to defeat Al Hilal 5-3 and lift a record-extending fifth FIFA Club World Cup™. Vinicius Junior got two goals and an assist in the final, with Federico Valverde also bagging a brace.

Vinicius, who broke the deadlock in the second semi-final, did so again in the decider. Karim Benzema played a one-two with Luka Modric, before threading a first-time pass through to Vinicius, who slotted it home. Valverde, also on target against Al Ahly, then doubled the lead, only for Moussa Marega to seal a wonderful team move and halve the deficit.

Madrid really turned it on after the restart. An exquisite, outside-of-the-boot cross from Vinicius gifted Benzema a tap-in that amplified their advantage, before Valverde made it 4-1.

Luciano Vietto dinked it over Andriy Lunin to reduce the deficit, which was swiftly restored when Vinicius curled home from inside the box. Still, however, Al Hilal refused to throw in the towel, with Vietto's third goal of the tournament pulling them within two.

Marega then volleyed wide when he had the goal at his mercy as Al Hilal sought to set up a grandstand finale, but that was to prove the Saudis' final chance as Real saw out a memorable victory, to send home the majority of the 44,000+ crowd in Rabat happy.

The stat

4.28

Morocco 2022 produced 4.28 goals per game – a new record. The previous one was 4.13 at UAE 2018.

Chelsea: 2021 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

 

With victory over Palmeiras tonight, Chelsea have etched yet another memorable chapter in the club’s long and illustrious history. We have our hands on the solitary major trophy that has eluded us, the FIFA Club World Cup, a prize only on offer to those who have climbed Europe’s highest peak.

In 2012, after the miracle of Munich, there was disappointment at the hands of Corinthians. Not so tonight, where an extra-time penalty from Kai Havertz – yes, him again! – secured a 2-1 success over their Sao Paolo rivals Palmeiras.

Havertz was the hero in Porto and he was the hero again tonight, crowning an enterprising performance in our attack with an ice-cold penalty five minutes from the end of extra-time.

We have now joined Bayern Munich and Manchester United as the only clubs to complete a clean sweep of major UEFA trophies and the Club World Cup, and as the 11th different winner of this competition the Blues are only the third to achieve that feat from England. We just keep rewriting the history books!

At full-time, one Chelsea legend sunk to his knees. Cesar Azpilicueta is the first Blue to do the lot, further cementing his status as one of the greatest of all time. And of course it was his shot that was blocked by a handball allowing Havertz to coolly convert from 12 yards. What a way for the skipper to mark a decade of service.

Next to him, Thiago Silva also collapsed in ecstasy, a victor in a competition that means so much in South America. First the Champions League, and now the Club World Cup in barely eight months for our Brazilian hero. He was deservedly named the tournament’s best player at full-time.

And how wonderful to see Thomas Tuchel able to celebrate masterminding his third trophy in person, having only arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday. His tactical shuffling kept Palmeiras on the back foot throughout, and the victory, if hard fought, was thoroughly deserved.

As the players celebrated with the trophy in front of the loyal travelling support, one of our club anthems Blue Tomorrow rang around the stadium.

‘We’re gonna rule the universe because we’re Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea!’

We have done just that. It’s a Blue universe today. What a club.

Bayern Munich: 2020 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Bayern Munich’s love affair with French players dates back to the mid-90s with the arrival of Jean-Pierre Papin. Nascent Franco-Bavarian ties were further strengthened during the 2000s, when Bixente Lizarazu, Willy Sagnol and Franck Ribery all followed in his footsteps.

Today, the relationship is at its zenith with no fewer than six Frenchmen plying their trade for the European champions.

On 11 February, the club’s Gallic flair was again in evidence in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™. The UEFA Champions League winners saw off the challenge of Mexico’s Tigres UNAL with a goal from Benjamin Pavard, just one of five Franzosens on the Bavarians' team sheet. Bayern appear to be in seventh heaven with their Bleus, as these stats can attest.

Not content with picking winner’s medals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, Frenchmen Corentin Tolisso, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard can now add the title of club world champions to their resumes. That means the trio are current holders of seven titles, having also tasted success in the 2020 editions of the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, DFB Cup, UEFA Super Cup and DFL Supercup.

The record number of Frenchmen who have lined up for Bayern in this season’s Bundesliga. And while Michael Cuisance, who took part in their opening game against Schalke, subsequently moved to Marseille, that still leaves in order of arrival at the club: Kingsley Coman(2015),Corentin Tolisso (2017),Benjamin Pavard (2019), Lucas Hernandez (2019), Tanguy Kouassi (2020) and Bouna Sarr (2020).

In scoring the only goal of the Qatar 2020 final, Benjamin Pavard became the seventh French player to register a goal in this competition, after Nicolas Anelka, Jonathan Biabiany, Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema, Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre-Pierre Gignac.

7: Franck Ribery's shirt number at Bayern. He spent 12 years there and won nine league titles, setting a new record for a foreign player. A veritable club icon after racking up 119 goals and 185 assists in 425 games, the Boulogne native was even given a nickname steeped in Bayern history: Kaiser Franck – a reference to the legendary Bayern and West Germany defender Franz Beckenbauer.

7: The number of goals scored for the club by Bixente Lizarazu, another Bayern legend. The left-back enjoyed his best years in Bavaria, where he won absolutely everything. He stayed there for eight seasons in all, as did compatriot Willy Sagnol, another wingback and Bayern favourite. Such was the precision of Sagnol’s deliveries from out wide that he earned the nickname Flankengott, meaning ‘god of the crosses’.

7: The number of matches played in his maiden season by the first Frenchman to join the Bavarian club: Jean-Pierre Papin. A modest total unquestionably, but the striker had more than his share of injuries during this time. That said, JPP will always be the one who paved the way for his compatriots – 13 others to date – to don the famous red jersey.

7: The number of years that Valerien Ismael had to wait to become a naturalised German. Ignored by the France national team, he made the request in 2006 in the hope of participating in that year’s World Cup for Die Mannschaft. It was not to be, however. The former Bayern defender, who scored two goals in 46 appearances between 2005 and 2007, finally obtained German citizenship in 2013.

Liverpool: 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Roberto Firmino was the hero as his extra-time goal saw Liverpool crowned FIFA Club World Cup winners for the first time, defeating Flamengo 1-0 in a nail-biting encounter in Doha, Qatar.

The Brazilian saw the European champions avenge their 3-0 defeat to the Brazilians in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup to be crowned the best team on the planet in a hard-fought clash that needed two hours to separate them.

Firmino could, and probably should, have had Liverpool ahead inside the first minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s sensational lofted through ball got the Brazilian in behind Flamengo’s backline, only to blaze over under pressure.

After a shaky opening, Flamengo settled, with both sides well-drilled and looking to nullify the other’s greatest threats. Bruno Henrique was the one who was least contained as the Brazilian side grew into the game, with the 28-year-old a fulcrum for much of what they did to threaten the European champions.

While the game had ebbed and flowed engrossingly, once again it was Liverpool who almost started a half with a bang. For the second time it was Firmino, flicking the ball smartly over Rodrigo Caio, before volleying onto the inside of the post.

Flamengo replied, pouncing on an error by Alexander-Arnold to see Gabigol draw a low save out of Alisson. Both sides prodded and pried with the hope of teasing open a clear chance, but neither could unlock the door.

Finesse was tossed aside for brute strength when, with extra-time looming, Jordan Henderson hit a thunderous, curling drive from 25 yards, only to force a largely-unchallenged Diego Alves to pull a save out of the top drawer.

Once into the additional 30 minutes, Firmino finally broke the deadlock. A sublime pass by Henderson released Sadio Mane, who cut the ball across to his Brazilian strike partner. He coolly shimmied onto his right, leaving himself an unguarded net to fire into. It proved enough, becoming a goal that will go down in Liverpool folklore.

Alibaba Cloud Match Award winner: Roberto Firmino

Real Madrid: 2018 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Real Madrid capped off another memorable year by claiming a third successive FIFA Club World Cup title, defeating host team Al Ain 4-1 at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium.

The Best FIFA Men's Player 2018 Luka Modric opened the scoring on 14 minutes for the UEFA Champions League winners, before Marcos Llorente doubled the advantage on the hour-mark.

Skipper Sergio Ramos then made it three on 79 minutes as Los Blancos secured their fourth Club World Cup crown, with an own goal - after strong work from Vinicius Jr. - reaffirming Real's three-goal lead after a superb header from Tsukasa Shiotani.

Los Blancos applied early pressure but they nearly went a goal down when Hussein Elshahat latched onto the end of Marcelo's misplaced header and cut into the area before getting his shot off - only to be denied by a stunning block from skipper Sergio Ramos.

Just one minute later, though, the holders were in front when Karim Benzema played the ball back to Luka Modric on the edge of the 'D' and the Croatia star curled the ball into the bottom corner. Moments after Real were celebrating their opener, Al Ain had the ball in the back of the net but Caio's effort was flagged for offside.

Santiago Solari's side doubled their lead on the hour mark when the ball fell to Marcos Llorente after a corner, and goalkeeper Khalid Eisa was powerless to stop the midfielder's stunning strike from finding the bottom corner.

Sergio Ramos recorded Real's third, powering a header past Eisa after a corner, before Shiotani headed a consolation goal for the host team after Caio's free-kick. Yahia Nader then turned Vinicius Jr's effort into his own net in injury-time, rounding off a superb win.

The result means Real add to their 2014, 2016 and 2017 Club World Cup titles, while manager Solari claimed his first trophy as Los Blancos boss.

Alibaba Cloud Match Award​ winner: Marcos Llorente (Real Madrid) 

Real Madrid: 2017 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Real Madrid have become the first side to retain the FIFA Club World Cup, earning a 1-0 win over Gremio to lift the title at UAE 2017.

A second-half strike from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to hand the Madrid giants victory, having dominated the encounter with the South American champions in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening.

The game began with a thump, with plenty of physicality on show. However, it was the title holders that found their rhythm quickest. Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric both had the band blue and black-clad fans in the Zayed Sports City Stadium inhaling sharply.

Though the large amount of local support were not spared some nervous moments either in the opening period, with Edilson striking a swerving rocket of a free-kick inches over Keylor Navas’s crossbar.

Having had two-thirds of the possession before the break, Real returned for the second half looking to make it count. It did not take them long and it was Ronaldo, who broke the resistance. Striking a free-kick from 25 yards, it is no surprise there was an instant inquest among the Gremio wall, as the ball nestled in the bottom corner, having seen the Portuguese’s shot pierce clean through it.

He thought he had taken his record goalscoring tally in the Club World Cup from seven to eight, volleying in seven minutes later, but Karim Benzema’s fine nod down was adjudged to have been from an offside position.

Gremio failed to rouse a response, with goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe forced into fine saves from Modric - tipping his effort onto the post - Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale to stay within touching distance of Los Blancos. However, they could not prevent Zinedine Zidane guiding the Spanish side to successive titles, equalling Barcelona's record tally of three.

Alibaba Cloud Match Award Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo

FC Barcelona: 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

Football players constantly state that victory can only be achieved by teamwork. The way in which that victory is celebrated, however, is a very individual thing, as the emotions on display tend to depend on the player’s personality and past experiences. Following their FIFA World Club Cup Japan 2015 triumph on Sunday, Barcelona’s players all reacted in distinct ways as they received their winners’ medals.

To understand the great joy visible on the face of Neymar, it is crucial to wind the clock back four years. In December 2011, the skilful forward was part of the Santos side that, as South American champions, earned its place at the global tournament.

Prior to the final, where they were to face Barcelona, the media built it up as duel between the Brazilian and Lionel Messi. However, instead of creating a tight contest, Santos fell to a comprehensive 4-0 defeat, during which Messi scored a brace and Neymar put in a somewhat anonymous performance.

“They were so much better than us,” the then 19-year-old admitted to FIFA.com. “They gave us a footballing lesson.” One image in particular made its way around the world after the match, that of Neymar exchanging a few words with Messi and Pep Guardiola. While the exact details of that conversation may never be known, could it be that La Pulga was advising his now team-mate to join him in Catalonia as soon as possible?

By the following year, Neymar had put pen to paper with the Blaugrana and would soon begin to amass a considerable number of prestigious trophies, the latest of which was held aloft on Sunday in Japan. “Today, I’m on the other side of the fence, and I’m glad about that. I’m very happy to be a world champion,” he said to FIFA.com.

Isolation and concentration
His obvious delight contrasted with the contained joy exhibited by Javier Mascherano in the corridors of International Stadium Yokohama after the match. But rather than demonstrating nonchalance about his team’s victory, the robust defender was struggling with conflicting emotions.

“This final was a difficult one for me to deal with,” explained the San Lorenzo native, who turned professional with River Plate in 2003. “I came through the ranks with them, and they’re from my home country. Unfortunately, in situations like that you just have to cut yourself off. I tried to be as professional as I could about it. I don’t know if it was the right thing to do, but I have to think about the team that I currently represent.”

Proof of this approach came when fans of Los Millonarios, who had travelled in large numbers and noisily supported their heroes throughout the encounter, cheered his name when the teams were presented to the public. The Barcelona stalwart decided to keep a low profile and held back from recognising the Argentinian contingent.

“Maybe they took it badly, but I didn’t mean anything disrespectful by it,” he said. “Ever since I found out that we would be facing River, I’ve tried to shut myself away from everything and stay completely focused on the task at hand.”

And that he certainly did, repelling the Argentinians’ attacks and marshalling a defence that performed superbly in front of an on-song Claudio Bravo, even if the Catalans were willing to admit that River made life tough for them at times.

“River’s commitment and pressure caused us a few problems during the first 35 minutes, until we got the breakthrough,” said the Argentinian, who starred for his nation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Final. “It wasn’t easy, but we knew that they would fight hard, and it was that style of play that got them to this level in the first place.”

Titanic trio
Unfortunately for the South American giants, their battling qualities were not sufficient against an on-form Barcelona, driven forward by their highly effective and harmonious attacking triumvirate. Messi struck first and Luis Suarez added a brace, while Neymar contributed two assists.

“I don’t know if we’re the best frontline in football history, but we’ve got a great understanding and we’re in the process of making history,” said Neymar, responding to a question that is often brought up by fans of the beautiful game. “But 150 goals is certainly not something to be sniffed at. We’re playing some great stuff and we’re delighted to be doing so.”

That happiness is clearly shared by every player in the Barcelona squad. “Getting to this stage involves putting in a huge amount of work and achieving important objectives. We’ve managed to cap off this year in the best way possible,” concluded Mascherano with understandable self-control and the hint of a winning smile.

Real Madrid: 2014 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

The praise heaped on Real Madrid by the team’s FIFA Club World Cup rivals before the tournament turned out to be justified. The hot favourites more than lived up to expectations in Morocco by winning their fourth trophy of 2014, making this the most successful calendar year in the club’s history.

The ruthless manner in which Madrid brushed the opposition aside may have had a familiar look to it – after all, Carlo Ancelotti’s men had conquered Europe in May by winning the UEFA Champions League for the tenth time. But the team’s current 22 game winning streak, the most recent of which came with a 2-0 victory over San Lorenzo in the final, has taken Los Merengues to another level. Madrid, who disappointed at their last appearance at the Club World Cup in 2000, will now make sure the trophy takes pride of place in the Santiagao Bernabeu cabinet.

"It’s a fitting end to an unforgettable year. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and delighted with our performances. For me, Real Madrid are the best team in the world," said Ancelotti who, after winning the Club World Cup in 2007 with Milan, is now a two-time world club champion.

But while the manager is entitled to enjoy his team’s success, he is also already thinking about the future. "I’m proud to say that I have a very professional, serious and focused group of players to work with. I'd be delighted if we could repeat what we’ve achieved this year.”

It’s a fitting end to an unforgettable year. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and delighted with our performances. For me, Real Madrid are the best team in the world.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti

It would take a brave man to bet against it. With a talented, versatile squad, Madrid showed how dangerous they are once again in Morocco, even though their biggest star did not find the net. This season’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in the wins over Cruz Azul (4-0) and San Lorenzo, but still managed to play a key role in his team’s triumph. And as proof of the team’s versatility, it was a central defender who scored the decisive goals.

Plaudits and records
Sergio Ramos set Madrid on the road to victory in both the semi-final and the final, thanks to the same strength, determination and positional awareness he displayed when scoring the dramatic late equaliser in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid. The adidas Golden Ball award he received after the tournament was a fitting reward for this goalscoring defender’s heroics.

“It has been a really memorable year for me, and I'm delighted to have been able to contribute goals in important matches. It’s the happiest phase of my life, both on a personal and professional level," said Ramos. "I can’t ask for much more than this, but tomorrow I’ll start to think about our next trophy. We know this team can keep on achieving great things.”

In terms of making history, Real, who have now equalled Milan’s record of four World and Intercontinental Cup wins, a number of players had special reason to celebrate: Iker Casillas, as the only survivor from the team that came fourth in 2000; Toni Kroos, the midfield colossus and provider of the passes for Ramos’ goals, who won his third world title in 12 months; and Cristiano Ronaldo, who after winning the Club World Cup with Manchester United in Japan in 2008, becomes one of the few players to have won the trophy with two different teams. And the incredible achievements of this team may be just beginning.

No surprises
Not only did Real Madrid’s triumph in Morocco represent the climax of the club’s phenomenal current run, but it also confirmed the recent domination of European sides in the tournament. It was the seventh win in 11 editions for the UEFA representatives, and the third time an Argentinian team has been defeated in the final. After overcoming modest Auckland City in the semi-final with a 2-1 extra time win, San Lorenzo could not repeat the heroics that won them the Copa Libertadores.

I can’t ask for much more than this, but tomorrow I’ll start to think about our next trophy. We know this team can keep on achieving great things.

Sergio Ramos

Still, the team showed great courage against a side which even the San Lorenzo players had described as "the best in the world” before the tournament. "We knew it’d be a very tough game but we didn’t fall far short. We made a couple of errors [for Madrid’s two goals] and you can’t afford a single moment of carelessness against a team like this with players of this class,” said Leandro Romagnoli after the final.

But even if the champions made fulfilling their role as favourites look easy, the Club World Cup in Morocco hardly lacked surprises and great stories. The biggest shock of all was undoubtedly provided by New Zealand’s Auckland City, who, after numerous unsuccessful appearances at the tournament, finally earned their place in history.

Tremendously improved on previous years, the semi-professional team led by Catalan coach Ramon Tribulietx recorded confident victories over Moghreb Tetouan and ES Setif, gave an organised, skilful display against San Lorenzo in the semi-final, and eventually claimed an improbable third place after overcoming Cruz Azul on penalties.

Nor was Auckland’s success the result of the team riding its luck. "I'm so proud of what we’ve achieved. We didn’t lose a single game [in normal time], and we deserved to come third because we were fantastic from start to finish. These players are the real moral winners," said Tribulietx.

Despite coming from a country accustomed to a more direct style of play, the impact of Auckland’s tactical innovations were clearly visible: the team made headlines around the world, and the players are guaranteed an unprecedented welcome back home. No one will underestimate this team in future tournaments.

Historic moments 
According to midfielder Christian Gimenez, there was a sense of shame associated with Cruz Azul’s fourth place finish in Morocco. Although the team started the tournament well enough, in the end they could not avoid another frustrating campaign for Mexico’s representatives at the Club World Cup.

I'm so proud of what we’ve achieved. We didn’t lose a single game [in normal time], and we deserved to come third because we were fantastic from start to finish. These players are the real moral winners.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx

Still, at least the team provided one of the most memorable images of the competition during their victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. After putting his team ahead in extra-time in a match played in pouring rain, Hugo Pavone dived chest first into one of the many puddles on the waterlogged pitch in Rabat. "It was like being a child again. When it rained, the best way to celebrate was always to dive into a puddle."

The striker's joy that day came in sharp contrast to the disappointment of the Wanderers players. After the fairy tale of winning the AFC Champions League in 2014, two defeats sent the young Australian side home early. At least they managed to score two great goals in the Match for Fifth Place: one by Romeo Castelen, and the other by Vitor Saba, whose terrific free kick brought to mind Ronaldinho’s goal in last year’s competition. The similarity was no coincidence: the Brazilian spent six months watching Ronaldinho practicing free-kicks when he played for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro. "I picked up a few tricks," he joked.

In the same game, ES Setif provided African fans with one of their few happy memories of the tournament by claiming fifth place. While Abdelmalik Ziaya scored a marvellous goal, driving a bouncing ball into the top corner, it was goalkeeper Sofiane Khediairia who ultimately emerged as the hero during the penalty shoot-out. Unlike 2013, when Raja Casablanca caused a sensation by reaching the final, the African representatives did not have much cause to celebrate in 2014.

Or perhaps they did. Even though Morocco’s Moghreb Tetouan also failed to impress, the number of white shirts and flags in the stands showed that the fans in Marrakech had adopted Real Madrid as the newest local team. "The support we received from the fans was a pleasant surprise. We felt at home," said Carlo Ancelotti. After that, all he and his players had to do was what they have become very good at doing – win a title, and play some great football. It is becoming something of a habit for this Real Madrid team.

The Stats
Teams: 7
When: 10-20 December, 2014
Final: Real Madrid 2 v 0 San Lorenzo
Games: 8
Goals: 20 (average of 2.5 per game)
Total attendance: 228,021 (average of 28,503 per game)

Coming Down The Road

The amateurs of Auckland City FC are in the money after a second major upset at the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco yesterday.

The side's 1-0 quarter-final defeat of African champions ES Setif of Algeria booked the men from Kiwitea St a spot in the semifinals, doubling their prize money in the process.

They will take home at least $2.57 million in prize money from the tournament, which will rise to $5.14 million if they win Thursday's semifinal against Argentine giants San Lorenzo.

The winning team in the competition - featuring the club champions of every continent - is awarded $6.43 million.

Auckland City are making their sixth appearance at the tournament, with their previous best finish coming in 2009, when they managed fifth after defeating UAE side Al Ahli and African champions TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo. On that occasion the side was awarded US$1.5 million in prize money.

It is not known what the players' cut is this time around, but in 2009 they divvied up 40 per cent of the club's winning share.

New Zealand Football high performance manager Fred de Jong told RadioSport the secured payday of $2.57 million would be shared around the football community."About 50 per cent will go to Auckland City and the other 50 per cent gets split among the other franchises in the ASB Premiership [national league]. We've always had that rule."

How big is Auckland City's success? Click here for more information.

What is the Club World Cup?
*The champion club side from each of Fifa's six confederations (and the host nation's national champions) compete in a knockout tournament over two weeks to find the best club side in the world.
*Other semifinalists include European champions Real Madrid, who feature the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.
*Auckland City have appeared at the tournament six times and their best previous finish came in 2009 when they beat local UAE champions AL Ahli and African champions TP Mazembe to finish fifth.
*The winning side is awarded $6.43 million.

Bayern Munich: 2013 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

MARRAKECH, Morocco — Pep Guardiola, the coach who came back from a self-imposed exile in New York, is back on top of the soccer world.

“Two thousand thirteen is now finished and it’s behind us,” Guardiola said Saturday in Marrakesh, Morocco. “Since my arrival, I have tried to take care of the heritage of this club — now I will try to add other things that I hope will be positive. We have to turn to the future.”

With a one-sided 2-0 victory against Raja Casablanca, Guardiola’s new Bayern Munich team added the FIFA Club World Cup to four other titles it collected throughout the year. The Bavarian club’s own website accurately described Saturday’s opponent as “willing, ever courageous, but ultimately limited.”

Bayern’s Brazilian center back, Dante, showed off how nimble and quick the modern defender can be with his feet to open the scoring after seven minutes, and Thiago Alcântara, who Guardiola brought with him from Barcelona, put the game beyond the host team on 22 minutes.

After that, for all the sound and fury of the 37,774 in the home crowd, the disparity between a Casablanca side that cost less than $10 million to put together versus the $666 million champion of Germany, Europe and now the world, was evident.

“My players were a little nervous,” said Raja’s coach, Faouzi Benzarti, himself a new appointee having arrived at the mid-table Moroccan-league club on the eve of this tournament. “The king was present, but to lose only 2-0 to Bayern Munich is very honorable.”

If only the king had seen the semifinals, he would have seen the Casablanca team that was invited to be the tournament host take down Atlético Mineiro, the South American champion, 3-1. The home team players had stripped Mineiro’s star man, Ronaldinho, of his shirt and his shoes as souvenirs before leaving the field that night.

Guardiola saw the signs, and warned his Munich players to be ready to face not just a team, but a nation. He need not have worried. Bayern had enough leadership on the pitch with Philipp Lahm, enough flair with Franck Ribéry, enough adaptability from Thomas Müller, to play anyone, anywhere.

“This Bayern team is too stable, and the coach is too ambitious to arrive at such a final complacent or arrogant,” said the club’s chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Neither arrogant nor sated by success, Bayern Munich closed out the year as champion of everything it started. Guardiola has now won 16 of his 22 tournaments, with Barca and Bayern in his relatively short career as coach. The future awaits.