December 23 – Favourites Bayern Munich crowned a momentous year by winning the Club World Cup in Morocco and finally ending the brave challenge of Raja Casablanca who did the host nation proud by reaching the final.
Goals from Dante and midfielder Thiago Alcântara earned the European champions a 2-0 win to add to last season’s Champions League title and German domestic double.
Raja were only the second team from outside Europe or South America to reach the final since the tournament switched to its current format in 2005. The Moroccans had upset Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in the semifinal but, like most sides over the last 12 months, found Bayern too hot to handle.
Having won three trophies under Jupp Heynckes, Bayern have now won two under new boss Josep Guardiola, having picked up the Super Cup against Chelsea in August.
Mineiro narrowly won the third-place playoff as they edged past Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande of China 3-2. But the south American champions needed a winner one minute into stoppage time after having veteran superstar Ronaldinho sent off in disgrace.
The former world player of the year had rescued them on the stroke of halftime with a trademark freekick but was dismissed three minutes from time when he lost his head and lashed out after being on the wrong end of a series of heavy tackles. Luckily for him, his team managed to clinch victory with 10 men and avoid even greater ignominy.
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