Tournament summary
Copa Libertadores' champions for a third time in 2005, Sao Paulo were back in Japan to contest the revamped FIFA Club World Championship between 11-18 December. The Brazilians were handed a bye into the semi-finals of the six-team competition where they defeated Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia 3-2. They were very much the underdogs in the final against a Liverpool side that had not conceded for 11 matches but thanks to a 27th-minute goal from Mineiro, an inspirational display from goalkeeping captain Rogerio Ceni and a slice of good fortune, Paulo Autuori's charges emerged victorious.

Key Player
With a club record of over 600 appearances in 13 years with the Tricolores, goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni is the undisputed hero of the Paulista faithful. Much of his fame comes from his goalkeeping ability from set-pieces and on his return to Japan he once again found the net with a penalty in the 3-2 semi-final win against Al Ittihad. There was not much chance of the charismatic keeper getting up the field in the final, but, fortunately for Sao Paulo, Ceni's handling skills came to the fore. He produced save after save in a remarkable display to keep a clean sheet and scoop both adidas Golden Ball and Toyota awards.

Coach
Coach Paulo Autuori was undoubtedly the key to Sao Paulo 's third Copa Libertadores triumph. The man from Rio de Janeiro took over from Emerson Leao at the end of the group phase, heralding a new chapter in an impressive coaching career that includes leading Cruzeiro to Libertadores glory in 1997. Autuori joined the Tricolor just a few weeks after resigning as Peru coach, and had an immediate impact on his new team's defensive record. That tactical ability was nowhere better displayed than in the way he organised his troops to withstand the wave upon wave of Liverpool attack in the CWC final. So impressed were the watching Japanese that immediately after the tournament Autuori was offered a lucrative deal to take over J-league side Kashima Antlers.

18 December 2005 in Yokohama
Sao Paulo 1-0 Liverpool
Attendance: 66,821
Goals: Mineiro (27')
Sao Paulo: Rogerio Ceni, Cicinho, Fabao, Edcarlos, Diego Lugano, Junior, Mineiro, Josue, Danilo, Amoroso, Aloisio
Coach: Paulo Autuori
Liverpool: Jose Manuel Reina, Stephen Warnock, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Momo Sissoko, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Harry Kewell, Fernando Morientes.
Coach: Rafael Benitez
Player of the tournament: Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)