Brilliant Barca lift Champions title
London: Barcelona confirmed their place in the pantheon of football’s greatest sides here, outclassing Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley to claim their second Champions League crown in three years.
Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa secured a deserved victory for the Catalan magicians after England international Wayne Rooney had raised United’s hopes with a well-taken first-half equaliser.
The star of an electrifying team performance was Argentinian striker Messi, the 23-year-old maestro whose brilliant effort on 54 minutes saw him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals in a single Champions League campaign.
It also took Messi’s tally for the season to an astonishing 56 goals in 62 games for club and country, and propelled Barcelona towards their fourth victory in club football’s most prestigious competition.
“On the day they were a better team,” disappointed United defender Rio Ferdinand said afterward as Barcelona celebrated.
“I think they are a great side. They’ve got a way of playing they all know. Tonight maybe a couple of times we got caught. Give credit where credit’s due – they were the better team.”
United, lining up in an aggressive 4-4-2 formation, had harried Barcelona relentlessly in the early exchanges as they sought to prevent the Catalans from settling into their flowing passing rhythm.
It was not long before Barcelona found their feet and United were to spend much of the opening half an hour, and the match, firmly on the back foot.
A jinking run by Messi set alarm bells jangling in the Manchester United defence before the striker threaded a lovely pass to Pedro only for United skipper Nemanja Vidic to slide in with an important block.
But on 27 minutes, Barcelona’s relentless pressure finally reaped its reward. An exquisite pass from Xavi struck with the outside of the boot picked out Pedro and the winger coolly clipped his shot beyond van der Sar.
But crucially, United were able to find an equaliser within seven minutes. (AFP)