Club World Cup: Barcelona 4 Al Sadd 0

Barcelona will meet Santos in the final of the Club World Cup after brushing aside Al Sadd 4-0 in the second semi-final in Yokohama.

Barca made light work of the Qatari club just as they did with La Liga leaders Real Madrid some five days earlier, but the win was tempered by news of striker David Villa’s broken tibia.

The all-time leading scorer for Spain was stretchered off in the 39th minute after colliding with a defender and could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, in an already difficult season that has seen him relinquish his guaranteed starting berth.

Wing back Adriano put the La Liga and Champions League holders ahead with a first-half brace.

He pounced on a moment of horrendous indecision from Al Sadd goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr to poke home the opener on 24 minutes, and was on hand to pick up a pass from Pedro on the edge of the area and curl home his second of the match 18 minutes later.

Unsurprisingly, Barcelona dominated possession with 71 percent in the first half. Manager Pep Guardiola introduced Alexis Sanchez for the injured Villa minutes before the interval.

Things got worse for the AFC Champions League winners after the break, with Lionel Messi playing in Seydou Keita for the third. The Mali midfielder took his chance well, glancing the ball around the on-rushing keeper with aplomb.

Substitute Maxwell then rubbed salt in the wound with a fourth. He received the ball wide on the left and lashed his shot across Saqr, whose meek effort ensured the ball bobbled through his legs.

Barcelona now have the chance to pick up their first silverware of the season, in a tournament Guardiola seems adamant to win.

Their opponents, Santos, defeated Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol 3-0 on Wednesday to reach Sunday’s final.