Barcelona met Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande at the Nissan Stadium in the second semi-final of the Club World Cup on Thursday.
The Spanish giants entered the interval with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a 39th-minute strike from Luis Suarez.
Suarez then doubled his tally early in the second period to put Barcelona in a comfortable position in Japan, before the striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.
Barcelona will face Argentine outfit River Plate in the final on Sunday.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's focus switches to the Club World Cup as Spanish giants Barcelona face Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in the second semi-final. The winner of this match will face River Plate in the final on Sunday after the Argentine team beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first semi-final on Thursday. The next few days provide Barcelona with the chance to earn the title as the best club team on the planet. The players are already warming up on the field here - let's hope for a good game of football.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up to speed with the all-important team news, and it would be fair to say that there are some familiar faces in the Guangzhou XI in Japan...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Roberto, Suarez, Munir
GUANGZHOU: Li; Zheng, Kim, Xiaoting, Zhang; Zhi, Paulinho; Bowen, Goulart, Long; Elkeson
The big news that has filtered through this morning is that Barcelona are without their leading marksman Lionel Messi, who has renal colic – a condition related to kidney stones. Messi joins Neymar on the sidelines, meaning that Sergi Roberto and Munir El Haddadi join Luis Suarez in the final third for the Spanish giants. Elsewhere the team is as expected here, Gerard Pique at centre-back with Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves and Jordi Alba in the full-back positions.
Guangzhou, meanwhile, who are coached by former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, have three Brazilians in their first XI, but former Real Madrid star Robinho is only among the substitutes alongside Alan, who is still working his way back from a serious knee injury. Elkeson and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho both start, however, while Ricardo Goulart will operate in a wide position. It appears that the Chinese side will operate in a 4-2-3-1 formation here.
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now less than 20 minutes from kickoff in this Club World Cup semi-final. Barcelona are gunning for their third global crown in Japan – the location of their last success in 2011, when they beat Santos in the final. The Catalan side are the favourites to advance here, but Guangzhou are unbeaten in their last 28 games in all competitions.
This match will be Barcelona's first in the 2015 Club World Cup, but Guangzhou had to beat Mexican side Club America 2-1 on December 13 to set up this last-four clash. Scolari's side are the current holders of the AFC Champions League and also won their domestic league by finishing head of Shanghai SIPG at the summit. They are a team used to winning football matches.
Guangzhou's league season ended at the end of October with a 2-0 win over Beijing Guoan, which confirmed their title win. They then beat Al Ahli in the ACL last month and had a three-week gap before beating Club America last weekend. All of their focus would have been on this competition, whereas Barcelona have had a tough run of games in the build-up to this tournament.
Barcelona still sit top of La Liga as the winter break approaches, but Luis Enrique's side have actually drawn their last three matches in all competitions. They were held at Valencia at the start of the month, before drawing 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last week, although they had already effortlessly advanced into the round of 16, where they will face Arsenal.
Deportivo La Coruna then came from 2-0 behind at Camp Nou at the weekend to earn a point and stop Barcelona from moving clear at the top of the table. As a result, Atletico Madrid are currently level on points (35) with Barcelona at the top of the division. Enrique will be wary of his side's drop in form entering this tournament, but they are still the overwhelming favourites.
Barcelona do not return to league action until December 30, when they welcome Real Betis, but their participation in this tournament means that they do not have much of a winter break. Real Madrid won this competition last year, but then dropped off in the second half of the La Liga season. Barcelona will be only too aware of the toll that it can take. Kickoff is just around the corner here!
Since taking control of Guangzhou in June – replacing Fabio Cannavaro in the process – Scolari has not tasted defeat in charge of his new club. This is Scolari's third crack at a Club World Cup title, having previously failed with both Gremio and Palmeiras. Can this man upset Barcelona...
PREDICTION! I think this could be a really tricky game for Barcelona, who will feel the loss of both Neymar and Messi. The Spanish side still have more than enough quality to triumph here, but I do not think that they will have it all their own way. Barcelona to win 2-1 for me in Yokohama.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the field for the first period in Yokohama. It goes without saying that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Andres Iniesta is even sporting a questionable hair-cut for the occasion. It is a big football match in this wonderful country. Right, Barcelona, in their blue strip, get this second semi-final at the Nissan Stadium underway...
... as expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with Mascherano and Pique exchanging passes before the ball is fed into midfield. That will be the pattern of this match, with Guangzhou hoping to threaten when they get the chance to break.
It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition - perfect for Barcelona. Guangzhou have not really been allowed to put a glove on the Spanish giants in the early moments of this match.
Are Barcelona going to let anyone else play here? The ball has been utterly dominated by the Spanish team in the opening six minutes and Guangzhou are just chasing shadows here!
No chances inside the opening eight minutes, but there is only one team in this match at the moment. Suarez twists and turns inside the Guangzhou box before attempting to cross, but Kim is across to make a smart block. It is complete and utter domination from the Spanish side.
The noise level rises as Elkeson turns and runs at Barcelona, but the Spanish giants quickly regain the ball and build from the back once again. Rakitic and Iniesta are both looking for that pass behind the Chinese team's defence, but Guangzhou's defence has been solid so far here.
Iniesta has the game's first shot, but it was always rising high and wide of the post.
Elkeson once again worries the Barcelona back four as he chases a through ball from midfield, but Mascherano is across to make the challenge. Scolari goes bonkers on the sidelines as he ushers his team up the field. This one is starting to hot up following a comfortable Barcelona start.
It is not quite Spanish weather in Japan and the majority of the substitutes have blankets over them. I know the feeling, I have just returned from Dubai and anything is colder than that.
BOOKING! Barcelona have a free kick just and I mean just outside the box as Suarez tumbles and the player that made the challenge - Xiaoting - picks up a yellow card in the process.
Rakitic takes on the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not great.
Guangzhou manage to break down-field and enjoy decent possession in the final third, but Zhi then attempts to force the issue and his pass is too strong. Still no clear chances for either team in the opening 19 minutes and Barcelona are already showing signs of frustration here.
Alves takes matters into his own hands as he drives forward from right-back before finding Munir, but his cross into Roberto takes the Spaniard too wide. Barcelona are still very much in control of the possession here, but we have still not had a clear chance of note in this semi-final.
CHANCE! Easily the best opportunity of the match thus far as Iniesta picks out a beautiful pass into Munir, who advances one-on-one with Li, but the Guangzhou goalkeeper is on hand to smother the forward and bundle the ball clear. First sign of serious danger in this game.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be all-important in this match. Barcelona could well end up being comfortable winners if they manage to take the lead.
Iniesta and Suarez continue to look the most likely to make something happen for Barcelona and the latter has a half-chance when the ball falls inside the box, but Guangzhou manage to clear their lines, for the time being. Still goalless with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
Guangzhou threaten on the counter once again, but Mascherano is across to challenge Bowen and the danger is cleared. There is no question that the Chinese side have legs on the counter, but Bravo has not had a single save to make in the Barcelona goal. It is delicately poised here.
Elkeson remains a willing runner in the final third, but the Brazilian has been chasing lost causes in the opening 32 minutes here. Barcelona have just upped the tempo in the last minute or two.
CHANCE! Munir again comes close for Barcelona as he meets a super cross from Iniesta, but the youngster's angled header is wide of the post. Both of the Spanish side's big chances have fallen to Munir and the Spanish youngster has not yet been able to find the back of the net here.
Zheng has a problem for Guangzhou here as he seems to fall awkwardly on his knee...
... the number 25 leaves the field on a stretcher and it does not look great. Could be serious.
GUANGZHOU SUB! Indeed the change is made as Xuepeng replaces Zheng.
CHANCE! Finally a chance for Guangzhou as Long races down the left before delivering a super cross towards Elkeson, but the striker is just edged out at the vital moment.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Guangzhou (Suarez)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 39th minute as Suarez hammers home from close range after Rakitic's effort had been pushed into the striker's path by Li. It is not the best goalkeeping from the Guangzhou stopper, but Suarez reacted first and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
SAVE! Guangzhou almost equalise immediately as Elkeson angles a header towards the bottom corner, but Bravo is on hand to make a super save! This is starting to liven up here!
This match took a little bit of time to get going, but both teams are now threatening in the final third. The atmosphere has also raised as we approach the half-time interval in Yokohama.
Guangzhou are really pressing for a leveller in the latter stages of this half as two corners in quick succession cause problems inside the Barcelona box, but excellent defending from Pique clears a flicked header at the near post. Barcelona are having their toughest period of the game now.
Just the one minute of additional time at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Guangzhou
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading courtesy of a 39th-minute strike from Suarez, who pounced on a loose stop from the Guangzhou goalkeeper. The match took a little bit of time to get going, but Barcelona deserve their lead at the interval and as it stands, they will be the team advancing to face River Plate in Sunday's final.
STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 72%, while they have had six attempts, three of which were on target. Guangzhou have managed just one attempt on target, but Elkeson's header brought a super save from Bravo. It has not been a particularly difficult game to referee, but there has been one yellow - Xiaoting having his name taken for the Chinese outfit.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona, as mentioned, are without Messi, but Neymar has been named on the bench and could feature. The likes of Sandro Ramirez and Sergi Samper are also available for the Spanish side. As for Guangzhou, Scolari has already been forced into one change - Zheng being replaced by Xuepeng. Brazilian pair Alan and Robinho are both in reserve for the ACL winners.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us for the second period. Can Guangzhou find a route back into this match? It will be tough! It is the Chinese side that restart the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that we will see Robinho at some point for the Chinese team. Guangzhou really cannot afford to concede a second goal at this point. The next goal simply has to come to Scolari's outfit.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona are in control of the possession. Iniesta is running the show in this match.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Guangzhou (Suarez)
Game over?! Quite probably. Barcelona have their second of the match and Suarez has his second as the striker collects a stunning pass from Iniesta before finding the top corner. It is another wonderful team goal from the Spanish giants and they lead 2-0 with 51 minutes played.
Guangzhou goalkeeper Li managed to get something on that strike from Suarez, but it was always finding the back of the net. It is a long way back for the Chinese side at this stage of the match.
In many ways, this game shows where Barcelona are at the moment. Neither Messi nor Neymar are on the field, but they still have arguably the best striker in world football, Suarez, in their ranks. In truth, Guangzhou have been second best here and they are really struggling in Japan.
Barcelona put together another sensational move and Suarez looks to have a clean strike on goal following a cross from Roberto, but the striker dummies it and Iniesta is closed down. Iniesta then curls one from the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar.
GUANGZHOU SUB! Yu replaces Zheng Long for the Chinese side.
Scolari does not look too pleased as he sits on the bench and Robinho is also not warming up, which is a strong sign that we will not be seeing the Brazilian in this match - big surprise.
Little under 30 minutes of this Club World Cup semi-final remaining and it is looking likely that it will be Barcelona facing River Plate in Sunday's final. Guangzhou have shown bits and bobs of their quality in the final third, but Barcelona certainly deserve to be ahead at this stage.
Barcelona pass and probe before Rakitic decides to have a shot, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Not too much happening at the moment with 63 minutes on the clock.
Luis Enrique continues to bark out instructions from the sidelines and his team are responding as they continue to move the ball with pace in the final third. Rakitic chips a beautiful pass into Suarez, who strikes on the volley, but his effort never had enough power to beat Li in the goal.
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Munir goes down inside the box under pressure from Bowen, but it was very, very soft. For me, no penalty, but the referee had no doubt in his mind!
GUANGZHOU SUB! Gao replaces Elkeson.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Guangzhou (Suarez, hat-trick)
Suarez finds the corner with his penalty and Barcelona lead 3-0 in this semi-final.
Suarez has shown that Barcelona do not need Messi and Neymar in order to compete. Maybe they can now complete their reported moves to Manchester City and Manchester United respectively? That is a joke by the way, but there is nothing funny about the way Suarez is playing in this game.
Suarez is not finished here as he finds space outside the box, but his curling effort is wide.
BARCELONA SUB! Sandro Ramirez replaces Roberto for Barcelona.
The noise levels rise as Gao turns and runs at the Barcelona defence before chipping a pass into Hanchao, but it had too much power and the Spanish giants manage to regain control here.
BARCELONA SUB! Adriano replaces Alba for Barcelona.
Little over 10 minutes of this semi-final remaining and Barcelona are still very much in control of the possession. It has been very straight-forward for the Spanish giants it must be said.
Just a reminder that River Plate are waiting in Sunday's final and with respect to Guangzhou, that will be a much tougher game for Barcelona, who are about to make their third change here...
... BARCELONA SUB! Iniesta is replaced by Sergi Samper.
The fact that the pitch is in such wonderful condition has certainly helped Barcelona in this match. It is just the perfect surface for the football that they always play, no matter the competition. Sandro swings an effort towards the far post, but it was always wide of the goal.
Oh no, the dreaded 'Mexican Wave' is occurring! The game is not that bad!
Possession football from Barcelona as Mascherano and Busquets play out from the back, although a loose pass and good pressing calls for Adriano to step in and clear down-field.
Sandro shifts inside his full-back before angling one towards the far post, but his strike was always moving wide and Guangzhou will restart the game with a goal kick. Still 3-0 Barcelona.
CHANCE! Munir has another golden chance to register as the attacker meets a super cross from Adriano, but his header is over the crossbar. Should have been on the scoresheet in this game!
We are into the second of two additional minutes here.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-0 Guangzhou
So there we have it. Luis Suarez scores a brilliant hat-trick as Barcelona ease into the Club World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande. In truth, it was a very comfortable game for the Spanish giants, who will now face Argentines River Plate in Sunday's final. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to look out for our player ratings piece, which will follow. Until next time!
