Barcelona triumph over Manchester United

Barcelona lift their Fourth Champions
League title by beating Man. Utd.

Inspired by a mesmerising Lionel Messi, Barcelona won their fourth Champions League title on Saturday after defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Barcelona cemented their place in soccer’s pantheon when they overwhelmed Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final to lift the European Cup for the fourth time on Saturday.

Goals by Pedro, the inspirational Lionel Messi and David Villa were a minimal reflection of the Spanish side’s dominance over United, who they also beat in the 2009 final, as they lit up the Wembley night with their brilliance.

Wayne Rooney briefly levelled the score but United were powerless to stop Barca making it three European Cup triumphs in six years. United fashioned a well-made equaliser after 34 minutes when Rooney played a one-two with Ryan Giggs before sweeping the ball high into the net but if that lifted their spirits going into halftime it was not long before they were back fighting fires.

After more near misses, Barca duly went ahead in the 54^th minute when United fatally stood off Messi on the edge of the box and the Argentine maestro drove the ball in for the 53^rd and most important goal of his remarkable season.

It was also his 12^th in 13 Champions League games this campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record tally for United in 2002/03.