YOKOHAMA: Barcelona swept to the Club World Cup title by outclassing South American champions River Plate 3-0 on Sunday, with Luis Suarez scoring twice after Lionel Messi had broken the deadlock in a one-sided contest.

There was a hint of handball about Messi’s 36th-minute goal, although it did not appear to be intentional, as the Argentine brought down Neymar’s pass and cleverly flicked the ball past Marcelo Barovero.

It was the second time Messi had found himself at the center of controversy this week.

He missed Thursday’s 3-0 semi-final win over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande of China due to apparent renal colic, amid suspicions he had been simply rested for the final.

Suarez added to his semi-final hat-trick against Guangzhou, scoring just four minutes after the break. He ran down the right flank onto a fine through ball from Sergio Busquets that exposed the Argentine team’s defence.

Brazil striker Neymar, who overcame a recent groin injury, supplied the cross which Suarez headed home in the 68th, making it five goals in two matches and 24 goals in as many games this season for the Uruguay forward.

The European champions, fielding six South American players, were especially dominant in the second half when they repeatedly sliced through the River defence looking as if they could score with almost every attack.

“We came here to win the title and it was important to get the job done, “said the prolific Suarez, who picked up the player of the tournament and golden boot award. “Leo’s goal opened up the game and in the second half we controlled things and had more chances.”

River manager Marcelo Gallardo apologised to the estimated 15,000 fans who made the long journey from Buenos Aires to Japan.

“We had a plan but when Messi scored, it went out of the window,” he said. “We let the fans down but we can be proud that we did our best. Barcelona were simply too good.”

Earlier on Sunday, Douglas came off the bench to score twice and inspire Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Chinese rivals Guangzhou in the third-place game at the Club World Cup.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2015