Wayne Rooney clinched victory for Manchester United in the Club World Cup final with a late goal against Liga de Quito after Nemanja Vidic was sent off.
Quito goalkeeper Jose Cevallos made a series of superb stops to deny Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Park Ji Sung in the first half as United dominated.
United's hopes were hit when Vidic saw red after 49 minutes for lashing out with an elbow at Claudio Bieler.
But Rooney won it with a neat finish into the bottom corner on 73 minutes.
There has been plenty of debate over the significance of this competition and the consequences that United's trip to the Far East will have on their domestic hopes and Champions League ambitions this season. The immediate after-effects of their sojourn to Japan will be seen when they return to the Premier League action, and the less glamorous surroundings of Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, on Boxing Day.
But for now, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson can celebrate collecting the world crown to go with his side's Premier League and European titles secured earlier in 2008 - becoming the first English club to win the global event in its current format.