Yokohama , December 17 : A hat-trick from Luis Suarez helped Barcelona cruise to a convincing win over Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 to set up a title clash with River Plate on Sunday . It was vintage Barcelona at Yokohama in Japan as Barcelona registered a thumping 3-0 win with yawning ease in the semi-finals. The European champions have been successful in this tournament, featuring the champions from each of the continents, in the previous two editions — in 2009 and 2011 although they faltered at the final hurdle in 2006.
Barcelona went ahead in the 39th minute through Suarez . The Uruguyan added his second goal in five minutes after the break. The Catalans won a penalty later in the half and Suarez calmly stepped up and slotted the ball home to bring up his hat-trick, continuing his magnificent form for his side since crossing over from Liverpool in 2014. Barcelona started the game without talisman Lionel Messi and Neymar, who is out with an injury. Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande were never in the game and were left chasing shadows. Skipper Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic also had good shifts. Barcelona will now play Argentinian giants River Plate, who defeated Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the other semi-final, in the summit event. Both Neymar and Messi have been ruled out of the final due to injuries.
Suarez’s second goal was the highlight of the game. Iniesta saw the No 9 making a run into the box and chipped the ball expertly into the danger area. Suarez controlled it with his chest, brought the ball down and slammed it past the keeper. Yokohama will be the venue for the finals too for Sunday’s final .