FC Barcelona are Champions of Europe!!!

Spanish giants FC Barcelona have won their fourth UEFA Champions League title with a 3-1 win against Manchester United at London's Wembley Stadium. Manchester United were in the game initially, but the longer the match latest the more Barca were able to dictate the match. It will be a Catalan party in London tonight.

The match got off to a quick start with a surprisingly aggressive Manchester United seeming to surprise FC Barcelona initially. But this initial burst only lasted for about 10 minutes as thereafter Barca took over with their typical short passing game and forced United to run after them. Still it took a while before they had their first chance of the game, but then in quick succession Pedro, David Villa and Lionel Messi all couldn't score before Xavi Hernandez send the ball through on the right to a free Pedro who opens the scoring in the 27th minute. Barca looked to be cruising then, but an easily given away ball following a throw-in, a one-two between Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, the England striker nice places the ball in for the equaliser in the 34th minute, but the goal should have not been given then Giggs was offside.

If one thought things would chance again, one was wrong as Barca continued to control matters in midfield and they created some more half chances before the break. The teams left the field with the scoreline reading one-all leaving chances to both sides.

But after the break Barca came back onto the field with more intent. Coach Pep Guardiola seemed to have found the right words with his team looking to deliver, while Manchester United were pushed even further back into their own half. The imminent happened in the 54th minute when Andres Iniesta found Messi, whose strong and placed shot beat Edwin van der Var in the United goal. Thereafter it never looked like that United could once more get back into the match.

After taking the 2-1 lead Barca keep the pressure on United and it would be Spanish striker David Villa who would make it 3-1 in the 70th minute. Pedro would take the ball from substitute Nani, pass it to Villa, who has the time on the edge of the box to stop the ball and shot it standing with the ball going into the far corner past the outstretched hands of Edwin van der Var. United are beaten as Barca continue to control things, the only real chance comes from a Nani shot in the 85th minute.

In between Luis Antonio Valencia picked up a yellow card and he should thank referee Viktor Kassai for having the chance to finish the game as he begged to be send off throughout.

After three minutes of injury time the game was over and FC Barcelona worthy champions. It was party time for the Catalans thereafter and the team finished off the evening with a great gesture by allowing Eric Abidal to wear the captains armband and collect the European Cup from UEFA president Michel Platini. Abidal only a few weeks ago had undergone surgery for a liver tumour, but came back quicker then even the doctors predicted to play 90 minutes in the final tonight.


UEFA Champions League - Final

FC Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United

Goals: 1-0 Pedro Rodrigues (27'), 1-1 Wayne Rooney (34'), 2-1 Lionel Messi (54'), 3-1 David Villa (70')