Messi double secures Club World Cup for all-conquering Barcelona

Lionel Messi scored twice as European champions Barcelona secured the Club World Cup with a 4-0 rout of Brazil’s Santos in Yokohama Sunday.

Messi opened Barcelona’s account and added their fourth and final goal in a one-sided match against their South American counterparts.

Xavi and Cesc Fabregas scored their other goals in a first-half which saw Pep Guardiola’s men 3-0 ahead and in total control.

It is their second Club World Cup title after 2009 and the 13th trophy won since Guardiola took charge at the Camp Nou in 2008.

“We’ve got a core of very talented players and the secret of our success is simple,” he told the official FIFA website.

“We study our opponents closely, use space well, keep control of the ball and move it around very quickly. My players are real competitors and I’m sure they’re going to want to keep on going and win more trophies.”

The match was billed as a showdown between Santos’ Neymar, who inspired their semifinal win over Kashiwa Reysol, and Argentina’s Messi.

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But the Brazilian teenager was kept quiet and uncharacteristically wasted two second half opportunities.

By contrast, Messi was at his irrepressible best, and set up by Xavi on 17 minutes made no mistake with a chipped finish.

Xavi then struck after a fine run by Dani Alves and Barcelona were 2-0 up and cruising.

Barely half and hour was on the clock when former Arsenal star Fabregas beat Rafael Cabral at the near post, with Xavi again the instigator after an impudent backheel from Messi.

Barcelona were able to coast through the second half as Santos enjoyed their best spell, but it was fitting that Messi added his second with eight minutes left.

Earlier Al Sadd, who lost 4-0 to Barcelona in the semifinals, beat Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol 5-3 on penalties to take third place at the annual intercontinental tournament after the match had ended scoreless.