United crowned world champions

Manchester United FC were crowned FIFA World Club Cup champions after a Wayne Rooney goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito at the International Stadium in Yokohama.

Early domination
The 2008 UEFA Champions League winners dominated the early stages against their South American counterparts with Rooney, Carlos Tévez and Ji-Sung Park all testing José Cevallos in the Quito goal. Jayro Campos spurned the Ecuadorian side’s best opportunity of the opening period when Damián Manso delivered a dangerous set-piece.

Rooney winner
The second half started poorly for United as centre-back Nemanja Vidić was sent off following a clash with Argentinian forward Claudio Bieler. However, they continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges and took the lead with 17 minutes remaining when Cristiano Ronaldo found Rooney, who finished clinically. Quito threw men forward as they searched for an equaliser but United held on to succeed AC Milan as world club titleholders and become the first English club to win the competition in its current incarnation.