17th December, 2015
Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick in the absence of injured duo Lionel Messi and Neymar as Barcelona sealed a place in Sunday’s Fifa Club World Cup final.
Suarez put Barca ahead after Guangzhou keeper Li Shuai parried Ivan Rakitic’s long-range shot.
The former Liverpool striker doubled the lead with a sublime angled volley following Andres Iniesta’s lofted pass.
Suarez completed his hat-trick with a penalty after Munir El Haddadi was fouled by Huang Bowen.
Barcelona will face Argentina’s River Plate in the final and victory for Luis Enrique’s side will ensure they end 2015 with a a fifth trophy.
Having won La Liga and the Champions League , Barcelona have also added the Copa del Rey and Uefa Super Cup.
Argentina international Messi is facing a battle to make Sunday’s final in Yokohama.
He was expected to play against Guangzhou but was diagnosed Thursday morning with renal colic, a type of abdominal pain commonly attributed to kidney stones.
His availability for the final will “depend on the outcome of further medical tests,” a Barcelona statement said.
Fellow forward Neymar missed the semi-final in Yokohama due to a groin problem but is hoping to play on Sunday.