European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi chested the winner to lead Barcelona to a 2-1 extra-time victory over Estudiantes in the World Club Cup final Saturday. Earlier, Asian champion Pohang Steelers of South Korea beat Mexican club Atlante on penalties 4-3 to finish third. The Spanish team was crowned world club champion for the first time, denying Argentina's Estudiantes which took the honor in 1968. Barcelona's victory allowed it to add the one missing piece of silverware to its already full trophy cabinet following final defeats in 2006 and 1992. In the 110th minute Brazil right back Daniel Alves crossed and Messi darted between two defenders to chest the ball past goalkeeper Damian Albil. Estudiantes had shocked the large Barca support in the 43,000 crowd at Zayed Sports City when it went ahead in the 37th minute. Hard-working captain Juan Sebastian Veron squared the ball to Juan Manuel Diaz and Mauro Boselli leapt between defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal to head the Uruguayan's pinpoint cross past the diving Victor Valdes. Pedro then nodded a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute. A high cross came in from the left, center back Gerard Pique touched it on and the substitute headed over Albil. It was just reward for Barca's perseverance with its classy attacking game and snuffed out tired Estudiantes's dream. “We played formidably, it was a victory we deserved. Six titles in a year is unequalled,” coach Pep Guardiola told a news conference, referring to his team's Champions League, La Liga, King's Cup, Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup wins. Earlier, Barca could have had a penalty when Albil came out for a through ball to Xavi and the midfielder went down. In a first half with hardly any goalmouth action, Barca had more than 60 percent of possession but little penetration. Zlatan Ibrahimovic backheeled to Xavi whose low cross went begging while Messi also had a shot blocked. Messi was later booked for diving as he could find little space in the packed Estudiantes defence. Just before halftime he tried a quick flick into the box and Ibrahimovic attempted an overhead kick but failed to reach the ball. With striker Pedro coming on for midfielder Seydou Keita and Messi attacking from deeper, Barca had more penetration after the break. Pedro almost converted a cross from Thierry Henry on the hour but failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy. Barca should have scored in the 69th when Pedro had a shot blocked by Albil's feet. “What hurts most is we were so close with just minutes remaining but we were dignified in defeat. We lost to the best team in the world,” said Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella.
