Barcelona players celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Sadd.
Barcelona swatted aside Qatar’s Al Sadd 4-0 to advance to the Club World Cup final, but their win was clouded when striker David Villa suffered a broken leg.
Brazilian defender Adriano scored twice in an embarrassingly one-sided contest as the Spanish and European champions set up a final with Brazil’s Santos on Sunday.
The gloss was taken off Barca’s victory in front of a crowd of 66,000 when Spain striker Villa fractured his left leg under a heavy challenge in the first half.
«We’re all very sad for David,» said Barça coach Pep Guardiola, whose side are bidding to win their second Club World Cup in three years.
«He will be out for a long time with this sort of break. It’s a massive blow for him and Barcelona.
«He will return to Barcelona as soon as possible for an operation, escorted by a physician. We will have to win the Club World Cup without him but he is in our hearts.»
A glum-looking Guardiola added: «We didn’t give Al Sadd a chance today.»
Barça took the lead in comical fashion after 25 minutes when Pedro’s cross bobbled off Al Sadd defender Nadir Belhadj and goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr’s panicked clearance bounced off Adriano’s shin into the back of the net.
Adriano scored his second goal two minutes before halftime, latching on to a pass from Thiago Alcantara to drive a powerful, left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Argentine wizard Lionel Messi then brilliantly picked out Seydou Keita, who calmly flicked home Barça’s third goal in the 64th minute with Asian champions Al Sadd chasing shadows.
buenosairesherald.com