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Journalism of Courage
SAO PAULO, JANUARY 11: Fifa always wanted their inaugural World Club Championship to go with a bang but they got more than they bargained for as Group A went down to the wire before Brazil’s Corinthians edged Real Madrid out of a final place on goal difference.
Colombian veteran Freddy Rincon popped up with the vital goal for Corinthians on home territory yesterday to wrap up a 2-0 win over Saudi outsiders Al Nassr and although Real saw off Morocco’s Raja Casablanca 3-2, that wasn’t quite enough.
The leading pair both finished with two wins and a draw from their three matches but Corinthians ended up with a plus four goal difference to Real’s plus three.
Advocates of fair play would have been forgiven for leaping out of their seats to greet Rincon’s goal as Real, seven-times European champions, did their reputation no good at all in having three men sent off during their ill-deserved win.
The Moroccans of Casablanca, rated as virtual no-hopers against one of the biggest clubs on the planet, led 1-0 atthe break with a majestic Youssef Achami header.
