River Plate’s tag as massive underdogs in Sunday’s Club World Cup final proved entirely correct as in spite of a plucky performance from Marcelo Gallardo’s Copa Libertadores champions, they simply could not stop Barcelona’s glittering array of stars from lifting a fifth major honour of 2015. Lionel Messi’s first half goal broke the deadlock after River had made things uncomfortable for Barça in the opening half an hour and when Luis Suárez added a brace it wrapped up a comfortable victory for Luís Enrique’s all-conquering side.
Such is the disparity in resources it was always going to be a near impossible task for River Plate to add to their recent trophy haul. Los Millonarios are a side that only cost something in the region of €5 million in transfer fees to construct, an amount which probably pays Lionel Messi for a matter of weeks at Barcelona. Additionally, Gallardo’s side that lifted the Libertadores only five months ago had already begun to be dismantled simply to keep the club afloat. Crucial defender Ramiro Funes Mori already departed to Everton and Matías Kranevitter and Carlos Sánchez were playing their final matches for the club against Barcelona.
This disadvantage was compounded by the fact that Barcelona welcomed Lionel Messi and Neymar back into their starting eleven and it ultimately proved costly. Gallardo’s high-intensity pressing made life difficult for Barcelona in the opening exchanges but reaching half-time without conceding was critical.
Unfortunately Lionel Messi ensured that was not to be. Dani Alves’ cross was nodded down by Neymar and Messi, with a hint of handball in controlling the ball, prodded the ball past Marcelo Barovero.
A goal down forced River out a little more and within minutes of the restart the result was put virtually beyound doubt. Sergio Busquets’ split the River defence as they pressed high up the pitch and Suárez ran clear to double the lead.
Barça threatened to run away with it and after squandering a couple of decent chances, Suárez wrapped up victory. Neymar’s dinked cross from the left, found the Uruguayan and he headed past a motionless Barovero for his fifth goal in two matches.
River’s hopes of a fairytale end to 2015 ended in defeat and now Gallardo faces a new challenge. Kranevitter departs for Atlético Madrid and Sánchez switches Buenos Aires for México leaving two significant holes in River’s starting eleven. Maintaining the high standards that Gallardo and River have already set could prove testing.
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