Manchester United were crowned Club World Cup champions, thanks to a 1-0 victory over South American champions Liga de Quito on Sunday. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game 17 minutes from time to hand the European champions the trophy in Yokohama. United managed to grab en expected win despite playing most of the second half with a man down, following the expulsion of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic. Cevallos Half The action started as soon as the fourth minute when Jairo Campos met Damian Manso's inviting freekick, but the Liga center-half shockingly missed the target from point-blank range in what should have been a surprise opener. It was merely the best chance of the half for the Ecuadorians, who had to deal with a lot of pressure afterwards. Within the next ten minutes, Rooney forced two saves from Liga keeper Jose Cevallos. Cevallos remained busy as United maintained the pressure, and the Liga guardian produced a spectacular save to deny Carlos Tevez's header in the 19th minute. Two minutes later, Rooney was sent through on goal by Anderson, but the former failed in his attempt to lob Cevallos as he squandered an easy chance over the bar.
Vidic recieved red Veteran keeper Cevallos had a break until ten minutes before half-time, when he was called into action again, this time blocking Park Ji-Sung's effort from a tight angle. For the second game in a row, Cevallos was booked for wasting time one minute from the interval, but nonetheless he was arguably Liga's best performer in the first half. Red card, Goal and Super Saves United received a severe blow shortly after the interval, when key defender Vidic was given straight red for elbowing Claudio Bieler after just four minutes. Consequently, Sir Alex Ferguson had to take off striker Tevez for defender Jonny Evans. In the 63rd minute, Liga's main source of danger Manso rifled a stunning shot from no less than 30 yards out, forcing Edwin Van der Sar to a full stretch to deny him. Ten minutes later, the deadlock was finally broken when Rooney curled in a powerful shot from a difficult angle to beat the resilient Cevallos. The Libertadores champions piled pressure on the ten-man United, and the livewire Manso fired another magnificent shot from distance, but the classy Van der Sar thwarted him once again in what proved to be a crucial last-gasp save.
