Defending champions dethroned as Messi seal win for Barcelona in Champions League

By Koh Yizhe

Stadio Olimpico, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi were the stars for FC Barcelona as they were crowned European champions after a 2-0 victory over the defending champions Manchester United in the European Champions League Final.

Lionel Messi’s beautiful lobbed header from a Xavi cross in the 70th minute put the game beyond United after Samuel Eto'o had given the Spanish side an early lead in the 10th minute.

But it was the defending champions who showed their intent early on with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a swerving free kick that Valdes did well to parry. Park Ji-Sung was first to pounce on the rebound, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Pique.

Manchester United controlled the pace of the game in the early goings as they closed Barcelona down as soon as they got the ball. The Spanish champions were struggling to get into their stride and Messi, Eto'o and Henry were reduce to mere spectators. It seemed like it was just a matter of time before United would take the lead with Ronaldo flashing a volley wide in the 8th minute. It was United's 5th shot in 10 minutes.

However, it was Barcelona that took the lead in the 10th minute against the run of play with their first attack of note. Iniesta threaded an inch-perfect pass to the on-rushing Samuel Eto'o who, with his first touch, cut inside Vidic and with his second, sent a shot beyond Edwin van der Sar.

Things went downhill for the defending champions from there with Messi blasting a shot over the bar while Xavi came close from a free kick at the edge of the area.

Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Messi were the stars for Barcelona as they linked up well to cause trouble for United's backline and they were unlucky not to double Barca’s lead at the half.

In contrast, World Player of the Year, Ronaldo failed to make impact for his side.

The half-time whistle couldn't come fast enough for United as they trailed 0-1 at the half.

Much of the same continued in the second half despite the introduction of Carlos Tevez who replaced the ineffective Anderson. Dimitar Berbatov also came on in the 66th minute for Park. However, both were unable to make their presence felt and change the direction of the game.

Iniesta continued his great work in the second half. Each attack he orchestrated looked like Barcelona would score, and they almost did when he ran unchallenged for 30 yards before Vidic hacked him down at the edge of the area. The resulting free kick was taken by Xavi, who was able to curl it around the wall, but failed to beat the post.

The second goal finally came when Xavi recieved the ball on the right in the 70th minute. He then sent a delightful cross into the area and with no one marking him, Messi, who is just 1.70m, had all the time in the world to direct his header over Van der Sar and into goal, giving the Spanish champions a two-goal lead.

Almost immediately, Ronaldo had a chance to reduce the deficit, but sent his shot into Valdes with the goal gaping at his mercy. The 24-year-old was unable to make an impact for the rest of the match, and even got himself into the referee's book when he pushed Puyol in frustration after failing to chase a loose ball.

Barcelona dominated the rest of the match, with two Puyol efforts saved by Van der Sar. Dimitar Berbatov summed up United's night when he headed over United's last chance of the game in the 87th minute.