Inter Milan lift Club World Cup crown

Javier Zanetti of Italy's Inter Milan celebrates with the Cub World Cup 2010 trophy after winning their final soccer match against DR Congo's TP Mazembe at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

Javier Zanetti of Italy's Inter Milan celebrates with the Cub World Cup 2010 trophy after winning their final soccer match against DR Congo's TP Mazembe at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

Published Dec 18, 2010

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European champions Inter Milan lifted the Club World Club on Saturday after a 3-0 win over TP Mazembe at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto'o in the first 20 minutes stunned the defence of the African champions from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who failed to produce a telling reaction as the Nerazzurri dominated through most of the game.

Frenchman Ludovic Biabiany scored a late third goal off an assist by Dejan Stankovic after coming on up front for Argentine Diego Milito.

Macedonian striker Pandev scored on 14 minutes off a feed volleyed from Eto'o and also thanks to a botched clearance from Kazembe Mihayo.

Four minutes later, Argentine captain Javier Zanetti squared from the right for Pandev, who failed to connect but helped the lurking Eto'o.

The Cameroon forward aimed for the far post and goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba no chance.

Milito had great first-half chances on 25 and 42 minutes, but dithered on both occasions and allowed Kidiaba to block his breaks into the area.

Inter came close again on the hour, when Brazil defender Douglas Maicon saw Kidiaba push his cross against the woodwork before Inter colleague Julio Cesar blocked a dangerous break from Dioko Kaluyituka.

Two more efforts from Kaluyituka went begging as Inter's Brazilian goalkeeper blocked the striker's break into the box and a drive after he had the better of defender Lucio.

Inter closed 2010 lifting a fourth trophy after triumphs in the Italian Serie A, the Italian Cup and the European Champions League.

In the 1960s, Inter twice won the Intercontinental Cup, a trophy played by the winners of continental titles in Europe and South America. The Club World Cup is played by the winners of continental tournaments in the seven federations recognised by world body Fifa.

Earlier Sunday, Alecsandro netted a brace as Brazilian side Internacional beat Asian champions in the third-place play-off. -

Sapa-dpa

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