Barcelona beat Atlante to reach Club World Cup final
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European Champions FC Barcelona defeated Mexican side Atlante 3-1 in the semi-final of the Club World Cup on Wednesday to assure a place in the final.
Barcelona had to come back from conceding a shock early goal to the Mexicans to avoid exit and the Spanish outfit will now face the Argentinean team Estudiantes in Saturday's final in Abu Dhabi.
Guillermo Rojas opened the scoring in the third minute with a freak goal as Barcelona defense totally misjudged the ball and goalkeeper Victor Valdes mistimed a run off his line to leave Rojas with a simple tap in.
The Mexican squad had said before the game they were angry at being written off before kick off and for a while it looked as if a surprise was on the cards.
However, Barcelona soon took control of things and Sergio Busquets levelled the score ten minutes before half time. Xavi Hernandez took a corner, Toure Yaya got a touch and Busquets was on hand to score from close range.
Barcelona had kicked off without Leo Messi in the starting lineup. The forward had missed Saturday's La Liga game with an ankle injury. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola decided to bring Messiin to the match after 52 minutes and a minute later he was rewarded with a goal.
Messi received a pass and with his first touch in the game, rounded the Atlante keeper and scored to put Barcelona ahead.
Pedro Rodriguez scored Barcelona's third goal on 66 minutes. The goal meant that Pedro has made history by becoming the first player ever to score a goal in all six competitions Barcelona has participated in this season.
He has scored in the La Liga, King's Cup, Spanish Supercup, Champions League, European Supercup and now the Club World Cup. An incredible feat for the 22-year-old.
Both sides had chances in the closing minutes, but Barcelona always looked to be in control and are now one win away from making history by lifting six titles in a calendar year.
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