FC Barcelona wins Champions League Final

champions league

They did it! FC Barcelona players finished their fantastic 2009 season with an incredible win over Manchester United in the Champions League final tonight in Rome Olympic Stadium. Samuel Eto’o and Leo Messi each scored in a technically breathtaking football match.

The first 5 minutes of the match were tense, with Manchester United keeping the ball and kicking three times at Victor Valdes. But FC Barcelona scored first in the 10th minute on its first offensive play of the match. Magistitailly put in an ideal position by Andres Iniesta, Samuel Eto’o got rid of Vidic and opened the score (1-0). Like in Paris in 2006, Eto’o scored the first goal of the final for the Blaugrana.

A dominating Barça

Metamorphosed after the first goal, the Catalan players were more active and kept the ball moving. Messi, in the 18th minute, tried his luck from 25 metres… A few inches over Van der Sar’s goal.

Iniesta and Xavi, as a magicians duet, were controlling the ball and trying to alert the forwards Eto’o and Henry on both sides and Messi in the middle. But it was only one goal ahead that FC Barcelona went back at half-time.

Messi for the win… and history

With 20 minutes to go, Messi scored in between the two giants Vidic and Ferdinand… with the head! The Argentine Genius took off and at the top of his extension, put the ball out of reach from Van der Sar (2-0)

Historical!

The Catalans have made history tonight. With a brand new defence (Alves and Abidal suspended, Marquez injured), they won their 3rd trophy of the season after the Spanish League and the King’s Cup earlier this month. Carles Puyol was a delighted captain, and Pep Guardiola, for his first season on the bench, was a thrilled coach…

FC Barcelona: Valdés; Puyol, Touré, Piqué, Sylvinho, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta (Pedro, m.92), Messi, Eto’o, Henry (Keita, m.71)

Manchester United: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson (Tévez, m.46), Giggs (Scholes, m.75), Park (Berbatov, m.66), Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo

Goals:
First Half
10′ 1-0 : Eto’o
Second Half
70′ 2-0 : Messi