ABU DHABI: European champion Inter Milan won the Club World Cup and brought some relief to beleaguered coach Rafael Benitez when it brushed aside Africa's TP Mazembe 3-0 in the final Saturday. First-half goals from Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto'o and a late strike by substitute Jonathan Biabiany gave the Italian team its third world title after it won the former Intercontinental Cup in 1964 and 1965. Earlier, wo goals from striker Alecsandro helped Copa Libertadores champion Internacional of Brazil beat 10-man Seongnam Ilhwa 4-2 to take third place. It was the fourth time in a row a European team has won the tournament – although UEFA's representatives had eight South Americans and one African in their starting line-up. Mazembe, from Democratic Republic of Congo, were the first team from outside Europe or South America to reach the final since the tournament was started in its current format in 2005. The win was a welcome break for Benitez whose side are a modest seventh in Serie A, 13 points behind leaders and archrival AC Milan, and only just squeezed into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Pandev sent Inter on its way when he ran onto a fine pass by Eto'o to slip the ball past goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba and open the scoring in the 13th minute. Four minutes later, Cameroon striker Eto'o broke through on his own to steer the second past Kidiaba, who had kept clean sheets for the African champion in their previous two matches. Biabiany beat the offside trap to reach a long pass out of defense and round Kidiaba for the third in the 85th minute. “We are a true team,” Pandev told reporters. Eto'o gave me a great pass for my opener. Today we've played a great game. Since I arrived (in January) we've won five trophies. That ain't bad!” Inter striker Diego Milito, whose goals helped secure last season's treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League, twice had chances to score when he found himself alone with only Kidiaba to beat but both times he was foiled. Mazembe, which impressed with wins over Pachuca on Mexico and Brazil's Internacional on its way to the final, had its chances, not least when Ivan Cordoba dived to block a Dioko Kaluyituka effort. Kaluyituka, who brought a late point-blank save from Julio Cesar, and strike partner Mulota Kabangu caused the Inter defense a few scares with their speed on the flanks. Eto'o, who had a brilliant game against his fellow Africans, might have scored again but for a good save by Kidiaba. Eto'o top player Eto'o took the golden ball accolade after FIFA made him its top man with the silver award going to Dioko Kaluyituka of beaten finalists Tout Puissant Mazembe of DR Congo – the first African side to make it to the trophy match. Argentine Andres D'Alessandro of Brazil's Inter de Porto Alegre was the bronze winner. Eto'o was a treble winner with Inter last season after winning the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup crowns – having already performed that feat a year earlier with former side Barcelona. Last year's accolade went to Barcelona's Argentine star Lionel Messi while Manchester United's Wayne Rooney was the 2008 winner. Roma stuns AC Milan Marco Borriello scored the only goal of the game for Roma to beat AC Milan 1-0 Saturday and ensure the Serie A league leader ends the year with a loss. Milan closes 2010 atop the league with 36 points, but the defeat means Juventus, Napoli and Lazio all have the chance to close within three points when they play Sunday. Roma has 29 points and is in the Europa League places. Borriello – on loan at Roma from Milan – struck in the 69th minute to bring the game to life for the last 20. Also, Luis Jiminez scored in the first half to give Cesena a 1-0 win at home to Cagliari.
