The result was Manchester United 1 - 0 Liga de Quito, but the European champions dominated the match and should have won the World Club Championship by more than 1 goal. Though Sir Alex Ferguson will be more than happy with the 1 - 0 result after Vidic was sent off early in the first half for elbowing a Liga de Quito player.
Manchester United made several changes from the semi-final, with Rafael, Park and Carrick starting, in the hope that their attacking flare would help them become the World Club champions, but Berbatov remained on the bench after picking up a virus.
Throughout the first-half Manchester United created chances. Rooney and Tevez tested the outstanding Liga de Quito goalkeeper as Manchester United looked to make the breakthrough and take a 1 - 0 lead into half-time. However, it was perhaps Liga de Quito who should have had a 1 - 0 lead over Manchester United after the first five minutes after an early free kicked zipped along the Manchester United penalty area but a Liga de Quito defender was only able to steer the ball wide.
Anderson and Carrick's through-balls were too much for the Liga de Quito defence and the final chance of the first-half came to Park, but he wasn't able to get his shot on target. Liga de Quito were defending in numbers, but it was clear to see that Manchester United were the more likely to make it 1 - 0. Though Manchester United would need better finishing if they were to become World Club champions.
Half-time Liga de Quito 0 - 0 Manchester United
Neither side made changes at half-time but within minutes Manchester United were forced to change their game plan in the hope of winning the World Club Championship.
Red card: Vidic
After winning the ball in his own half, Vidic was lying on the ground when a Liga de Quito player fell beside him with his arm around the Manchester United defender. Vidic then moved his arm, hitting the face of the Liga de Quito player with his elbow. The referee had no hesitation and sent Vidic off without protestation from the Manchester United player. The Manchester United players couldn't believe it, Vidic had been sent off in the World Club Championship final.
Young Jonny Evans was brought on to partner Ferdinand in the centre of the Manchester United defence and Carlos Tevez was sacrificed. Liga de Quito pushed forward to utilise their one man advantage with Manso forcing several world-class saves from Manchester United goalkeeper Van Der Sar.
Goal Rooney: Liga de Quito 0 - 1 Manchester United
However, it was Manchester United who took the 1 - 0 lead and looked the more likely to win the World Club Championship. Carrick threaded a pass to Ronaldo on the edge of the penalty area who held the ball up before passing to Rooney who hit his shot first time, curling the ball into the corner of the Liga de Quito net. It was Manchester United 1 - 0 Liga de Quito, Rooney had scored in the World Club Championship final and Manchester United were content to defend their 1-0 lead.
Full-Time: Liga de Quito 0 - 1 Manchester United
Despite more pressure from Liga de Quito the game finished Manchester United 0 - 1 Liga de Quito and Manchester United were crowned the World Club champions. Rooney won a gold medal as the tournament's best player after scoring 3 goals in 2 games, Ronaldo won the silver medal.
Liga de Quito: Cevallos, Norberto Araujo, Calle (Ambrossi), Campos, Calderon, Reasco (Larrea), Urrutia, William Aruajo, Manso, Luis Bolanos (Navia), Bieler
Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Rafael (Neville), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Anderson (Fletcher), Carrick, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney
