Barcelona set up a meeting with South American champion Santos in the World Club Cup final by dispatching Al-Sadd, 4-0, Thursday in the semis, but lost forward David Villa toa broken leg. Adriano scored twice and Seydou Keita and Maxwell added goals to power Barcelona past the Qatari club and Asian representative that hadbeaten African champion Esperance Sportive in its opening game. Santos booked its place in Sunday’s final by beating Kawisha Reysol, 3-1, on Wednesday.
“We did not give Al-Sadd achance,” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. “That means the defense was well-organized and our defenders had quick counterattack abilities.”
Adrianopounced on a defensive blunder to opening the scoring in the 25th minute and struck again just before halftime. Lionel Messi set up Keita’s goal in the 64th minute and substituteMaxwell tacked on a fourth with nine minutes to play
Villa left the game in the 37th minute on a stretcher after a duel with two opponents fractured the tibia in his left leg. “We aregoing to miss Villa,” Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara said. “We hope it isn’t too bad. … When you play you never think that these things can happen. Itwas bad luck.”