Rafa Benitez can expect a frosty welcome when he comes back to London.

Chelsea lost their grip on another trophy as the European champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final, as Paolo Guerrero scored the only goal of the game to send the South American champions and their 20,000-odd supporters into dreamland.

Chelsea began the game in control, dominating possession, and creating most of the chances that were presented in the first half.

Corinthians are not your usual Brazilian team filled with flair and verve, with the South American champions a very good defensive team, capable of hitting teams on a quick counter attack.

Rafa Benitez made a couple of changes to the lineup that won 3-1 against Monterrey in the semi-finals, starting with Frank Lampard and Ramires in the middle of the park for John Obi Mikel and David Luiz with the latter slotting back into his more familiar central defensive role, as Branislav Ivanovic played a right-back.

Victor Moses also came into the starting XI for Brazilian international Oscar.

Fernando Torres, who has scored five goals in his last three games, expectedly got Chelsea's first chance, but saw his shot blocked behind for a corner. Off the ensuing set-piece, Gary Cahill seemed to have given the European champions the lead from close-range, but saw his strike brilliantly kept out by Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio.

Corinthians took their time to warm up to the occasion, as Chelsea, despite bossing the ball, rarely threatened Cassio's goal to any great effect.

The Brazilian side as the half wore on, showed a bit more bite in midfield, breaking up Chelsea's interplay to great effect and frustrating the Blues.

Guerrero and Emerson had a couple of chances for Corinthians, but they went astray as Victor Moses almost opened the scoring at the other end, but for a timely intervention from Paolo Andre.

Moses then would have thought he definitely scored, when the winger cut in from the left, before curling a nice strike, which seemed destined for the top corner, only for Cassio, who was named the player of the tournament, to stunningly tip it past the post.

As the second half began Corinthians seemed to have a new lease of life, as their attacking play increased considerably, with Chelsea having to endure a couple of nervous moments before surrendering the opening goal.

Some nice approach play from the Brazilians, saw Danilo presented with a shooting chance inside the penalty box, which was well blocked by Gary Cahill. However the rebound sprung up kindly for Guerro who headed it calmly in, with goalkeeper Petr Cech caught out of position.

Chelsea were now desperate for a goal, but were running out of ideas, as Benitez brought on Oscar  for Victor Moses, to try and change the dynamic of the game.

Torres had a splendid chance to even the scoreline, after a throw came out to him, but the striker's shot from eight yards out was well saved by Cassio again; the Spaniard should really have done better though.

The day went from bad to worse for Chelsea as Gary Cahill saw red for a challenge on Emerson off the ball.

Torres finally put the ball into the back of the net in the second minute of stoppage time, but the striker's header was correctly ruled out for offside.

The referee blew the final whistle much to the joy of the large Corinthians crowd, as Chelsea lost out on another trophy which they would have been favorites to take home. 

Meanwhile, in the third-place playoff Mexican side Monterrey defeated African champions Al Ahly 2-0.