A second World Cup has finally made it's way to England. Sort of, anyway.
A new ruling made by FIFA today has seen Manchester United awarded a second Club World Cup by world football's governing body.
United won the Intercontinental Cup, the pre-cursor to the Club World Cup, just months after their second European Cup victory, in 1999 after beating then South American champions Palmeiras 1-0 at the National Stadium, in Tokyo, thanks to a solitary Roy Keane goal in the 35th minute.
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The Red Devils had previously come up short in the competition, losing 1-0 on aggregate, to Estudiantes of Argentina, in 1968.
Roy Keane scores the winning goal for United against Palmeiras in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup final. Image: PA
The contest was contested between the champions of Europe and South America every year between 1960 and 2004. Originally it began as a two-legged affair before the home and away option was ditched in favour of a one off match at a neutral venue.
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FIFA evolved the final into a full scale competition in 2005, involving the champions of Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania as well as the European and South American champions.
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Until today, however, previous winners of the Intercontinental Cup hadn't been recognised as Club World champions by FIFA. Now, with United also having tasted success in the tournament in 2008, when they defeated Liga De Quito of Ecuador 1-0 in the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
United and their two World Cups, in 1999 and 2008. Images: PA
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So at least that extra World Cup makes up for the one England won't win in Russia, next summer. Sort of.
(H/T The Mirror)
Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, FIFA, Premier League
