Image source, AP

Neymar finds Lionel Messi, who plays the ball out to Dani Alves on the right, he whips it back to Neymar and he finds Messi, who takes a touch and fires home.

This is the third Club World Cup final the little man has notched in.

Image source, Reuters

Lionel Messi has a go from a 25-yard free-kick which the keeper tips around the post. It might have been going wide anyway.

River Plate's Leo Ponzio is booked for giving Dani Alves a knee in his leg from behind. Almost textbook schoolyard dead leg stuff.

Image source, Getty Images

Eight of the last nine winners of this tournament have been European - Chelsea's 1-0 defeat by Corinthians in 2012 the exception.

Real Madrid are the current holders after beating San Lorenzo last season. The winners of this tournament don't automatically qualify for the next year.

This is a great spell for River Plate and Lucas Alario forces a save from Claudio Bravo with a deflected effort from 25 yards. Bravo had to get down low to keep it out.

Are we going to witness a shock today?

And then there were two (River Plate shots). Gabriel Mercado heads a corner wide. 

River Plate will be happy with their start and their fans are making a huge amount of noise inside Yokahama's International Stadium.

Rodrigo Mora has River's first shot of the match - from about 25 yards - but it's straight at keeper Claudio Bravo. He had options and some of his colleagues don't look too happy with him.

A ball comes across the box and Barcelona 'right-back' Dani Alves takes an ambitious first-time volley on but it's straight at goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero.

Alex Williams: If Barcelona do win, expect Pique to tweet Barca 5-0 Real or put a picture of a mug saying that this is the only cup Real will lift this year  

Andrew Sinnott: World Club trophy is like the capital one cup  

Ah Andrew, don't say that - I've come into work early on a Sunday morning for this.

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It's been confirmed now that Carlo Ancelotti will replace Pep Guardiola as Bayern Munich boss at the end of the season. A good appointment? Where will Guardiola go now?

Image source, Reuters

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba is the second player of the game booked for a late sliding tackle on Carlos Sanchez.

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Lionel Messi clips a ball over the top to Neymar, who chases onto it but keeper Marcelo Barovero rushes out of his goal to deal with the danger.

You feel he'll be man of the match if River manage to win this game.

Just seen a replay of that save - it was phenomenal really from Marcelo Barovero. Messi took a touch and smashed a powerful effort at goal which the keeper, with little time to react, stuck his arm out and just kept it from flying past him into the net. 

Lionel Messi has the first shot of the game after being found in acres of space by Andres Iniesta but his effort is excellent saved down low by River keeper Marcelo Barovero. Barca starting to turn the proverbial screw now.

Image source, Reuters

River Plate's Matias Kranevitter is booked for a tackle from behind on his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi.

Image source, Reuters

This really has been a good start from River. They've only had 31% of the possession but they've had a few attacks - albeit without a shot at the end of it.