Europe’s grip on the FIFA Club World Cup had tightened after five years of successive UEFA Champions League winners leaving the global finals victorious. That was until Corinthians made a return to the competition 12 years after winning the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil.
At Japan 2012, O Timão maintained their winning ways at the tournament — bringing the Club World Cup back to South America for the first time since compatriots Internacional did so back in 2006. Paolo Guerrero’s second-half winner was enough to see off Chelsea in Yokohama while goalkeeper Cassio was awarded the adidas Golden Ball for his stand-out performances in the semi-final and final.
The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 gets under way on 11 December.