体坛英语新闻：Barcelona wins Club World Cup with Messi striking twice

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona smashed Santos 4-0 in the Club World Cup final on Sunday in Yokohoma, wining the tournament for the second time, first in 2009, with Messi striking twice and winning the Golden Ball Award.

The total number of 68,166 audiences at Yokohama International Stadium got their money's worth as Barcelona delivered a dazzling performance.

Lionel Messi, struck in each half for Barcelona, while Xavi and Cesc Fabregas also scored in the first half for the team who overwhelmed Santos, the Libertadores Cup holders from Brazil.

Pep Guardiola's men moved the ball at will, owning 73 percent of possession in the first half alone.

Messi struck the first goal in the 17th minute that crowned Barcelona's dominance.

Xavi also turned from creator to scorer seven minutes later by redirecting a Dani Alves cross into the net.

Fabregas tripled Barcelona's lead in the last minute of the opening half.

While Santos threatened a couple of times on the counter, the Spanish supremacy continued in the second half as Messi put a fourth against Santos in the 82nd minute.

Barcelona had the total control until the final whistle.

Guardiola said during the press conference after the match that the team were very happy winning the game, "right now back in the locker room, the players are listening to the music and talking pictures with the trophy. I'm glad our men killed almost every opportunities Santos have during the match, and I want to thank and compliment my players."

"Messi is no doubt the best player in the world, and Barcelona the best club. There is no shame for us losing the game, we should be humble and accept the fact that they are simply the best," said coach of Santos, Muricy Ramalho.

"But we will come back next year," he said.