BARCELONA 2, MAN UNITED 0
Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi stun Alex Ferguson's United
MANCHESTER UNITED discovered what it is like to lose a European Cup final as brilliant Barcelona ruled Rome.
If there is any consolation in failure to become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era, it is that they lost to a side as fluent and brilliant to watch as they are.
Click here for all the best pictures from Barcelona 2, Man United 0 in the Champions League Final
Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals either side of half-time but to single those two out for special praise would be unfair on their team-mates, and particularly Xavi, who was simply awesome.
For once Cristiano Ronaldo could provide no magic of his own, instead getting increasingly frustrated as defeat loomed.
Twenty four hours earlier, Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken of reaching into the far corners of his brain for an inspiring word or two prior to kick-off. As half-time approached, that same grey matter might have preferred a word or two about Barcelona's performance.
Sublime would have been one. Bewitching, mesmerising would do equally as well. For a football man like Ferguson it would have been a joy to watch if his side were not the ones trying to stop it.
The kind of football that allowed the Catalans to hit six goals past Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium last month was not in evidence for the first eight minutes or so as United held sway.
However, once it began to emerge, Ferguson's side had precious few answers. The shape of the contest might have been so different had Park Ji-sung been able to snaffle the rebound after Victor Valdes had failed to hold a stinging Ronaldo free-kick.
Instead, former United man Gerard Pique shot across to block what proved to be his old club's best opportunity of that opening period.
Like his team, Ronaldo was clearly in the ascendancy in his personal duel with Messi.
How rapidly things changed. In the twinkling of an eye Andres Iniesta, one of the brightest starts in the Barcelona firmament, slipped a pass to Eto'o.
The Cameroon striker cut inside Nemanja Vidic, then held off Michael Carrick as he prodded the ball goalward with enough strength to take it past Edwin van der Sar.
Suddenly the strategy of containment and hitting at pace on the counter-attack suggested by the inclusion of Park and the exclusion of Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov did not look such a good idea.
Ferguson's team shot across the pitch, able to do little more than firefight as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi lit bonfires all around.
Had a Messi flick found Eto'o in the area, it would have probably brought Barcelona's second. Rio Ferdinand's agility saved his team.
Xavi curled a free-kick just wide, Vidic pumped the ball away after Van der Sar had failed to hold a cross shot, the slick passing wearing United down all the while.
The arrival of Tevez at half-time had to come, and with it a more overtly offensive approach. Yet in taking such bold action, Ferguson knew he was playing right into Barcelona's hands.
Xavi picked out Thierry Henry with a brilliant pass. The former Arsenal star cut inside Ferdinand with ease but could not find the finish, a similar mistake to the one that proved so costly for Arsenal in Paris three years ago.
When Xavi saw his free-kick come thumping back off a post, memories of 1999 and the mauling United nearly took at the hands of Bayern Munich sprang to mind.
Yet this was different. Ferguson's team were poor until the unforgettable ending. This time they were simply ripped apart by the only team on the planet who can match them.
The introduction of Berbatov midway through the second half was effectively Ferguson throwing his book of tactics out of the window and not worry about the consequences if it all went wrong.
Sadly it did. Quite quickly as Xavi's curling cross dropped perfectly for Messi, who guided his header over Van der Sar.
Ronaldo's world player of the year crown was slipping and Valdes managed to get in the way of a close-range effort that would have given United some hope, as would the volley from Berbatov that followed.
Berbatov had another chance too, although by then Carles Puyol had seen two efforts saved by Van der Sar.
In truth, the Dutchman was his side's best player, which just about says it all.
This article has 35 comments
etoo to the world.now shut up.
By patrick. Posted October 13 2009 at 5:42 AM.
BARCELONA ARE THE CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!man u
HAD NO CHANCE LIONEL MESSI IS THE UNDISSPUTED CHAMPIOIN.
By Jake davison ward . Posted July 3 2009 at 10:29 PM.
iam so glad still exited by barcelona victory now or ever my hero is messy-dona not that united ant
By teddy . Posted June 7 2009 at 4:32 PM.
iam so glad still exited by barcelona victory now or ever my hero is messy-dona not that united ant
By teddy . Posted June 7 2009 at 4:31 PM.
what poetry...what justice. The best and molst attractive and attacking side in Europe this year won the cup and the trebble that their play deserved.....all hail Barcelona...surely the BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD!!!!!! And its a family club owned b y fans that sponsor unicef..kids go in free....majority of academy kids in squad and even the manager..the celebrations in catalunya eclipsed what would have happened if Man U had won....even the fans in FRome won. 3/1 outnumbered and even b4 goal they were louder...couldn't hear Man U fans...
I am so happy to see Barca show the world that creative attacking football pays and wins and English fans can see the quality and this year the superiority of Barca to everyone else..
By richard. Posted June 1 2009 at 9:02 AM.
it was painful to watch man u being crushed in that manner. after 20 mins, i thought it was going to be a whitewish. one cls say man u were lucky yet again to escape with 2 goals deficit
By ijeoma. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:07 PM.
at the end of the day barcelona was the better team than us we now have to move on ready for next season, sir alex thought that when ronaldo played in the last time in the middle he was nery good could of done the same again, but it was unfortunate and meybe next time who knows.
By sarah. Posted May 31 2009 at 4:48 PM.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE? YOU'RE 'AVIN LAFF!!!!!
By jack the lad. Posted May 31 2009 at 2:25 AM.
Interestinbg to read the comments which attempt to undermine Barcelonas massive superiority. They were there on merit. They beat Chelsea in the semi final, like it or not. It would though have been a better final if it had been Chelsea and Barcelona instead of the semi. I wish they'd been drawn apart to make way for them both to play the final. They are clearly the two best teams in Europe. United were humiliated, plain and simple. English soccer, was trampled into the sand.
By Joe. Posted May 30 2009 at 10:20 PM.
it was the fair game.
By frank m laiser. Posted May 29 2009 at 5:45 PM.
Pls don`t be fool and praise barcelona they were playing a game that they didn`t deserve to play
it,except the wish of Michael Platini ,he always said that he want to stop English clubs to dominate the champions league.This time happened to chelsea next may be liverpool or someone else.Malta
By Edward Camilleri. Posted May 29 2009 at 3:51 PM.
sometimes you think you're the best and that you have it all but some people will make you realise that you have only begun, thats what happened to man utd. stop the blabbing and give yourselves a reality check, barcelona and man utd are not on the same level, barcelona is miles ahead.
By ojay. Posted May 29 2009 at 6:09 AM.
ManU - Owned by an American, with debt piling up. AIG insurance on their shirt, Ferrari crashing superstars, doing Ads for mobile phones & Designer undies, Charity handed out to the Tax deductible at stage managed photo op time...
Barca - Owned by their Fans, Unicef on their shirts (Who recon that is worth $20M to them each year in donations) , Superstars spend time outside training talking up community projects...
Yep, the better team won....
By Brian Bunns. Posted May 29 2009 at 4:15 AM.
As usual..
for the 1st 10 minutes Man U attack n when their opponent bounce back counter they will score...mentality of Man U players so weak...look at Barca line up...i think Pique was great in centre half...eventhough pairing with the stand-in centre half's Yaya...
Sir Alex...what have u done with your line up??
Arsenal and Barcelona were two different teams...u can't think that u can use the same tactics with Barcelona...the greatest legendary football team in Spain....U should change your mindset from being so long an old timer manager...i'm so pity for Ronaldo to play alone as the top striker...so shamed..
I'm not so frustrated with the losing the cup eventhough i'm a big fan of MAN UNITED from a childhood..bcoz at the beginning of the match i'm not satisfy n confident with the line up..
so what have we got...2-0 lucky SAF not to have more than its....so poor!
By Bujal. Posted May 29 2009 at 5:03 AM.
1)Rio should not start for the match,poor him
2)Ronaldo should start for his usual position to meet Sylvinho a 35 years old left back
3)Rooney play with Tevez upfront.
the player that i am missed too much was Hargreaves...to take the Carrick's place...rough,tough defensive/holding midfielder that Manchester United needs to play agains such a brilliant's team FC Barcelona
By Karim Man. Posted May 29 2009 at 5:25 AM.
thanks to those man u fans who have spoken the truth. Barcer remains the best team in the world, but its had for English press to accept it. The press are very bias, and they never said anything good about foreign teams and foreign players. Anyway, Let us start appreciating good football if we are really football fans.
By benok. Posted May 28 2009 at 6:01 PM.
There's this guy Rambo or whatever you call yourself who commented below.. Look you and some other people have not been able to put sentiments aside and realize that the so called your almighty United has no where to match with Barca's superiority in showcasing the best football in the world. Dont rely on luck. Work.
It was narrow escape and mere luck thats been helping ur united... Barca punished you last year, luckily united scored 1 undeserved. Lifted league last yr... with how many points, lifted Champs league with penalty 6-5. lifted last Carling by penalty. Last English league by 4 pts.
United uses mafia influence to win other little clubs and it can not work with them meeting the GURUS. Barca pass YOU. Are you feeling DISGRACED? no sorry.
By ken. Posted May 28 2009 at 4:28 PM.
Outclassed and outplayed.
Luck prevented utd from losing by 3-0 or worse. Utd couldn't even control their temper, let alone barcellona. Truly men against babies.
By martin attard. Posted May 28 2009 at 4:44 PM.
Professionals against the English medias poor wee lost souls. Finally the myth that the EPL is the greatest has been put to rest.
By Malcolm Bryan. Posted May 28 2009 at 4:15 PM.
Football won. I am glad that the team that played better offensive game won. the tam that took risks and never resigned attacking. I am sick and tired of teams like Chelsea that survive by making tactical fouls and trying to destroy the game at all costs.
It is talented and beautiful football that conquered Europe, and that only deserves admiration.
If you are a football fan like me, you will have to agree that regardless what team you have in your heart, it is always best to see that quality and creative talent triumphs.
By Fernan. Posted May 28 2009 at 4:05 PM.
Barca was the strongest team on the pitch, this the team we would like to see them always winning.
By ziad. Posted May 28 2009 at 4:04 PM.
OVER-confidennt. I guess United are not powerful against teams like Liverpool and Barcelona, and Chelsea. They were exposed in the 4-1 defeat to. liverpool in the EPL, and now 2-0 against Barcelona, which should have been 4-0. I guess Man-united were looking for an early goal, like they did last year.
I will like to see a Chelsea Vs. Barcelona or Chelse vs Liverpool next Year, then I will finally remain a Chelsea Fan.
By KOLA. Posted May 28 2009 at 3:33 PM.
so sad of last night, but Rome was so colorfull too. every one fans cool, I am so sad it had to be night for Man UTD. but they couldn't do . Sir Alex. tactics not work.
By rajopadhayay shreelochan [nepal]. Posted May 28 2009 at 3:28 PM.
was this a final or an amical match???????????????? someone can tell me please.hahahahahhahaahhahahahhahaha
By ramjaun. Posted May 28 2009 at 2:15 PM.
It was a great shame for UTD to lose like this.I though I was watching a playstation match.It was like in the training session for barca and UTD was just like mere puppets.About 100m watchers around the world had saw the weakness of UTD.What a Shame.hahahhaahhahahahahhah...live LIVERPOOOOOOOOOOL....................
By ramjaun. Posted May 28 2009 at 2:13 PM.
Manchester United best team in world football history!!!
The match end before it could start.United lost confidence with the first goal.Barcelona should not be in the final.It should have been Chelsea.The referee OVREDO was bought by UEFA.Its a shame for UEFA.Drogba was right Everybody in the world is jealous of the English teams as they are more superior compare to other cheaps,borings league like Ligue 1, Serie A, Bundesliga,Liga.
It should have been Manchester United vs Chelsea. And the final score gonna be 5-0!!!!
Next Season we will be back in the final.We will snatched the crown that was robed by thief Barca and Uefa. Be frightened , THE REDS DEVIL is coming in your nightmares.
By Rambo. Posted May 28 2009 at 2:50 PM.
Any Way,Barcellona Prooved To Be So Playing Awesome Football And Realy They Proved To Us Last Night But My Blame Is On Our Coach.
Because Of Deploying Poor Tactics Of Winning The Game And I Feel So Much Sympathy To My Fellow Man U Fans Out There And Reminding Them That we Will Be Back, Please Guys May All Have Anice Day And Good Bye.
By tabu Denis. Posted May 28 2009 at 2:43 PM.
barca were great untd will be back I promise
By kevin. Posted May 28 2009 at 2:04 PM.
What a game! the red devils became white devils,
look at their jersey. Well thank God they were not
white-washed.Barca were simply marvelous.
By Ben. Posted May 28 2009 at 12:03 PM.
a great result for the neutral fans , world player of the year ronaldo my &rse he his ok when things are going for him two tackles worth a yellow card the elbow too the head hes a very lucky boy not to go off , hes retaliated at least twice this year in the prem and stayed on ,,come on barca
By tony malone. Posted May 28 2009 at 8:26 AM.
when formation goes wrong, what would be happen ?
1)poor football
2)boring football
3)lose the match & denying the cup
By Ariel . Posted May 28 2009 at 8:04 AM.
united as always were lucky..... they've only lost by 2-0
By t.tamtam. Posted May 28 2009 at 7:41 AM.
what an awful n ashamed tactical formation from the gaffer...pity cr7
By Shahril(Malaysia). Posted May 28 2009 at 4:20 AM.
What a night. Rome, the fans, the dream final, and two dream teams. It would have been better final if both teams had all their normal starters in the game. C.Ronaldo shined the first ten, and tried his best to bring Manchester on the map. Barca stars brought the real deal, and we were lucky not to go behind. Because Man Utd were not to stop first 8-10 min. I am glad they did not score, becuase if they did it would have been Barca. VS Chelsea again. Barca scored, and played with same offensive style. Go Barca, you won as team. I am so happy it was a night off for Man UTD. I know most Man UTD fans are going to blame Sir Alex. But, he showed his tactics could work during first 10 mins. Shame shame shame on the players not being able to pull them self up after getting behind.
By Djibriil. Posted May 28 2009 at 12:00 AM.
What a shame they had to get rough at the end. Marred the game for me. Not the best losers. Wern't Barca great, though
By Stacey. Posted May 27 2009 at 10:59 PM.