Kaka scored once and laid on both of Filippo Inzaghi's goals as Milan downed Boca Juniors 4-2 at Yokohama International Stadium on Sunday to become the first European side to win the competition since its inauguration in 2000.

The win marked a degree of revenge for Milan, who also had defender Alessandro Nesta on the score-sheet, after they lost on penalties in the 2003 Intercontinental Cup to the Argentinians.

"Kaka has helped us wipe out the bad memory of 2003 and he proved tonight that he fully deserved to win the Ballon d'Or award," said Ancelotti.

"Winning this trophy was our goal. It is a big success and we were confident we would win."

Kaka's perseverance set up Milan's opener in the 21st minute when he reacted quickly after seeing his own shot blocked to pass to Inzaghi and the former Italy striker had the simplest of finishes.

Boca pulled level a minute later thanks to Rodrigo Palacio's header before Nesta restored Milan's advantage five minutes into the second half.

Kaka then scored Milan's decisive third, storming down the Boca right before cutting inside defender Jonatan Maidana and sliding the ball under the body of goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta.

The Brazilian then turned provider again 19 minutes from time when he pushed Clarence Seedorf's pass into Inzaghi's path to tee up the veteran striker for another straight-forward finish.

Boca pulled one back in the 85th minute when Massimo Ambrosini put through his own net eight minutes after Milan had been reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Kakha Kaladze.

Pablo Ledesma's sending off two minutes from time ensured that Boca's attempts to find a way back came to nothing and Milan claimed the trophy.

"Milan had more opportunities and more luck and Kaka proved to be the difference with the way he exploited the tight spaces," said Boca coach Miguel Russo.

"But I have told my players to keep their chins up and win the Copa Libertadores so they can come back to Japan."