Barca beat Man Utd
May 27, 2009
Barcelona's striker Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring after 10 minutes, catching the United backline cold. A beautiful run and pass from midfield playmaker Andres Iniesta put the Cameroonian forward through on the right flank, Eto'o beat center back Nemanja Vidic and slotted the ball underneath United Keeper Edwin van der Saar.
Manchester United had started the game strongly, but this Barcelona goal against the run of play unsettled the defending champions. The remainder of the first half was a nervy affair, and it took some time for United to get back into a rhythm.
Midway through the second half, United started to push for the equalizer, bringing on Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov as extra forwards. However, just as the Premier League champions began to throw caution to the wind, they were caught out on the counterattack. Argentine forward Lionel Messi - the top scorer in the tournament this season - grabbed his ninth goal in the Champions League by heading home a pinpoint cross from midfielder Xavi.
It's the third time Barcelona have won the Champions League, having also lifted the trophy in 1992 and 2006. The Catalan side also become the first Spanish side ever to win the prestigious triple - as they won the domestic league and cup titles as well this season.
msh/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Rick Demarest.