Barcelona bash Man United!

Eto'o, Messi strike as Catalans beat Man United 2-0 in grand finale

Barcelona bash Man United!

Eto'o, Messi strike as Catalans beat Man United 2-0 in grand finale

Goals from star forwards Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave the Catalans a deserved victory and denied United from becoming the first team to retain the title since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993.

Barca's treble

LION roars! Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores off a header even as Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand looks on during the UEFA Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome last night. Barcelona won 2-0.

It gave the Spaniards a unique treble having already won their domestic league and cup and meant they repeated a feat United achieved in 1999.

It crowned a marvellous debut season for his Barcelona counterpart Pep Guardiola, who at 38 becomes the youngest coach to take European club football's greatest prize.

History was also created across the other end as United's Ji-Sung Park became the first ever Asian player to play in a Champions League final.

Both sides began cautiously but United settled quickest and Ronaldo had quite a few shots in and around the barcelona goal earlier on.

First a 25-yard free-kick that Barca 'keeper Victor Valdes nearly made a mess of and a fierce long ranger past the post within the first 10 minutes. But then out of the blue Barca struck.

Iniesta's pass

Andres Iniesta played in Eto'o who beat Nemanja Vidic inside the box and shot to beat Edwin van der Sar at the near post.

The goal settled Barca into their usual stride and they started to weave the pretty patterns that have been mesmerising opponents all season, carrying them to the remarkable feat of scoring more than 150 goals.

In the second half, Ferguson brought on Tevez for Anderson at the break but Barca were first attack on the counter as Thierry Henry cut in from the left before a weak shot was saved by van der Sar on 48 minutes.
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The Spaniards were in total in ascendancy as Xavi fired a free-kick that hit the post on 53 minutes.

Barca extended their lead when Xavi picked out Messi on the edge of the six yard box, the Argentine wizard's header entering the top corner.

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