The matches
Winners of the Toyota (Intercontinental) Cup in 1990, AC Milan were made to wait another 17 years to end their world title drought on Japanese soil. In 2007 it was the European champions' attacking guile that proved decisive, a moment of magic from Kaka and Clarence Seedorf settling a close-fought semi-final against local favourites Urawa Red Diamonds. With experienced duo Paolo Maldini and Filippo Inzaghi rested on a chilly night in Yokohama, Milan needed 68 minutes to break the deadlock, Kaka's fine break down the left finished clinically by Dutch maestro Seedorf. Despite battling back valiantly, Holger Osieck's Urawa were unable to get back on level terms.

The Final took place three days later in the same stadium, and gave the Rossoneri the opportunity to avenge their 2003 defeat in the same competition against Boca Juniors. The Xeneizes matched their European counterparts blow for blow in the first period, forward Rodrigo Palacio levelling just 60 seconds after Inzaghi's 21st-minute opener. Yet the Serie A side's greater experience and individual quality gradually turned the tide in their favour.

Brazilian superstar Kaka came into his own after the interval, torturing the Boca backline in tandem with Seedorf and Inzaghi. Five minutes into the second half, defender Alessandro Nesta's sweet volley put the Milanese ahead, Kaka extending his side's advantage 11 minutes later. On the 71-minute mark up popped archetypal poacher Inzaghi to grab his second of the night and his side's fourth, rendering Pablo Ledesma's 85th-minute effort a mere consolation. In putting paid to the hopes of Miguel Angel Russo's team, AC Milan made history by becoming the first European club to claim the FIFA Club World Cup crown.

The star player
Five words: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. The player better known as Kaka was the outstanding performer for the Italian giants in Japan, bringing his potent blend of movement, skill, vision and goalscoring to bear.

At the age of 25, the South American attacking midfielder and 2002 FIFA World Cup™-winner was at the top of his game and took the adidas Golden Ball for the tournament's best player. Hardly a surprise if you consider he was involved in four of the champions' five goals, scoring once and picking up three assists. All of which must have been a bitter-sweet experience for fans of previous club Sao Paulo, tournament winners in 2005, watching from Brazil as their former idol lifted the trophy with Milan.

"This final was part of an unforgettable night. On both a personal and sporting note it signified stepping up to another level. But over and above the Golden Ball, I'd stress that this victory is down to an entire squad of players. We deserved this title," said the man himself afterwards. A day later, Kaka would add the FIFA World Player of the Year 2007 award to his ever expanding collection of silverware.

The coach
At the age of 49, Carlo Ancelotti has already written his name indelibly in the history of AC Milan. As a player he donned the red-and-black stripes between 1986 and 1991, playing a full part in the club's first golden era under Silvio Berlusconi. Employed in a midfield ball-winning role, the Rossoneri's current coach tasted Serie A, European Cup and Toyota (Intercontinental) Cup success.

After hanging up his boots, he started his coaching career with Reggina in Serie B before moving to former club Parma, where he won the 1999 UEFA Cup. He then had a spell in the Juventus hotseat before taking the reins at the San Siro in 2001, and he has guided the Milanese giants to Japan on two occasions so far.

The first of these came in the 2003 Toyota (Intercontinental) Cup and ended in disappointment, Boca Juniors' victory on penalties in Yokohama consigning Ancelotti's charges to a runners-up medal. Revenge was taken in emphatic fashion four years later in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

"We won't be forgetting this success in a hurry. This marvellous title means a lot to us and helps us to completely overcome the disappointment of defeat in 2003," said the strategist after the 2007 triumph.

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007

13 December 2007, Yokohama International Stadium
Semi-final: Urawa Red Diamonds 0-1 AC Milan
67,005 spectators

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (URU)
Goal: Clarence Seedorf (68')
UrawaRed Diamonds: Tsuzuki; Tsuboi, Tanaka, Nene, Soma; Hosogai, Abe, Hasebe, Suzuki; Washington, Nagai.
Coach: Holger Osieck.
AC Milan: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kaka, Gilardino.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

16 December 2007, Yokohama International Stadium
Final: Boca Juniors 2-4 AC Milan
68,263 spectators
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (MEX)
Goals: Filippo Inzaghi (21' and 71'), Alessandro Nesta (50') and Kaka (61') -AC Milan-; Rodrigo Palacio (22') and Pablo Ledesma (85') -Boca Juniors-.
Boca Juniors: Caranta; Ibarra, Maidana, Paletta, Morel Rodriguez; Gonzalez, Battaglia, Banega, Cardozo; Palacio, Palermo.
Coach: Miguel Angel Russo
AC Milan: Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Pirlo, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Kaka, Inzaghi.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Player of the tournament: Kaka