Pedro celebrates the tying goal in Abu Dhabi against Estudiantes (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi’s 110th minute goal gave Barcelona the Club World Cup with a 2-1, extra time victory over Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata.
Estudiantes was within minutes of the title before Pedro’s 89th minute goal to tie the match and send it into extra time.
His goal came fifty minutes after Mauro Boselli gave the South American champions an early lead, winning a header in the middle of the penalty area, heading home the opener into the lower right hand cover of goal.
After that, Barcelona was tasked with breaking down a defense that allowed only two goals in the knock-out stages of the Copa Libertadores. Just before extra time, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (who found a constant battle with Leandro Desbato) won a header to Pedro, who looped a ball over the coming Damían Albil to provide the equalizer.
It was the end of a half where Barcelona, though controlling much of the possession, failed to generate quality chances against a strong Estudiantes defense. Generating a number of half chances, Barcelona rarely threatened Albil before Pedro’s goal.
In extra time, with the score even, the match opened up, with Barcelona continuing to create half-chances. Ultimately, it was the Ballon d’Or winning who would put the final touch on Barça’s dream season.
In the 110th minute, Lionel Messi chested home the winner, scoring against the club from his birth country, ensuring Barcelona their sixth piece of silverware this year. Winning every competition they were in, Barcelona claimed the Copa del Rey, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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