Bayern Munich are champions of the world, and they've achieved that title without dealing with too much adversity. A highly anticipated showdown between the European champions and Ronaldinho was derailed when Raja Casablanca upset Atletico Mineiro in the semifinals. The Moroccan champs put up a fight on Saturday, but the gap in class between the two sides was obvious in a comfortable 2-0 win for Bayern.
Bayern Munich vs. Raja Casablanca: Final score 2-0, Bavarians lift Club World Cup
Raja Casablanca pulled off a couple of impressive wins to get to the Club World Cup final, but didn’t quite have the quality to match Europe’s best.
Steve Bardens
The Bavarians got on the board early, with Dante converting on a set piece. Off a corner, Jerome Boateng headed toward the center of the box where Dante ran, beating the Raja offside trap. He took a touch, turned and smashed in a goal with his second touch to give his side the lead.
Thiago Alcantara doubled Bayern's lead in the 21st minute, finishing from 15 yards after David Alaba found him with a cutback pass. From then on, Bayern were mostly in cruise control mode, knowing that they had the game won if they avoided bad mistakes at the back.
They made a couple late, though Raja wasn't able to capitalize. Mohsine Moutouali hit a sitter over the bar in the 84th minute, failing to capitalize on a chance at the end of a breakaway that could have set up an exciting finish. Badr Kachani also had an excellent chance under similar circumstances five minutes later, but put his shot right into the hands of Manuel Neuer.
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Alaba, Dante, Boateng, Rafinha, Lahm, Kroos (Martinez 59’), Thiago, Shaqiri (Götze 79’), Müller (Mandzukic 74’), Ribery
Goals: Dante (6’), Thiago (21’)
Raja Casablanca: Askiri, El Hachimi, Oulhaj, Karrouchy, Chtibi (Mabide 48’), Guehi, Erraki, Hafidi (Kachani 87’), Iajour (Soulaimani 77’)
Goals: None
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