Inter on top of the world
Inter Milan became the first Italian side to collect five major trophies
in a single calendar year as they brushed aside TP Mazembe in the final of the
Club World Cup.
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Two goals in the space of five minutes early in the first half from Goran
Pandev and Samuel Eto'o - who shook off an injury to play - put Inter in
control, and Jonathan Biabiany completed the scoring five minutes from time.
The victory will go some way to easing the pressure on Inter boss Rafael
Benitez, who has underwhelmed since taking on the unenviable task of succeeding
Jose Mourinho.
Inter add the Club World Cup crown to their Champions League, Serie A, Italian
cup and European Super Cup titles, emulating the achievement of Barcelona last
year. Inter also won the Italian Supercup in pre-season.
Mazembe, who had stunned Brazilian club Internacional to earn their place in
the final, never threatened another upset.
Eto'o, who had been expected to miss the match, laid on the 13th-minute opener
for Pandev with a defence-splitting pass, and then got on the end of a pass from
the outstanding Javier Zanetti to grab the second.
Inter had further chances to finish off their Congolese opponents, but Diego
Milito fluffed his lines after breaking the offside trip in the 24th minute and
Muteba Kidiaba, who has enjoyed such a strong tournament, made the save.
The goalkeeper would deny Milito again just before half-time before Mazembe
enjoyed their best chance, Dioko Kaluyituka's powerful shot being blocked by
Ivan Cordoba.
In the second half, Maicon made a charging run only to see his shot strike the
outside of the post.
Kaluyituka then had another chance to halve the deficit but while attempting to
round Julio Cesar, he was forced wide and the angle became too acute.
He then forced a good save from Cesar with a strong volley, in what would prove
to be Mazembe's final chance.
It was left to Inter to wrap things up, substitute Biabiany doing just that,
timing his run superbly before beating Kidiaba.