It wasn’t quite the result the world expected in the UEFA Champion’s League Final, but it was one heck of a performance by underdog Barcelona.
Two beautifully constructed goals—one with Samuel Eto'o in alone on the right side and another on a header by Lionel Messi — proved the Spanish side’s mastery of the day.
Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat of Manchester United in Rome stopped United from achieving the back-to-back wins of both the English Premiership title and the Champion’s League title two years running.
United is probably the most popular soccer team in the world and fans will be disappointed that it couldn’t accomplish what no other team ever has with the double-double. However, it’s good to see that the Red Devils are taking it all in stride.
"Great teams bounce back after big disappointments," Red Devil Ryan Giggs told the London Times. "It has been a fantastic season and we must not forget that. We have achieved so much.
"All we have done is fall just short at the final hurdle in the Champions League. We are still a great team and we have great players in that dressing room. Next year we will come back stronger and look forward to the challenge."
United house the hardware from two Champions League wins with Barcelona owning three, tied for second most in the competition’s history. The Spaniard’s completed the ‘treble’ with the win. The treble also includes la liga title and the Copa del Rey.
Much of the match was tight and tense after the Eto’o goal at the 10 minute mark. However Messi’s magic in the second will be remembered in Barcelona for a long time.
“United made a mess of possession, Puyol nips in and gets it down the right for Xavi and he swings in a delightful cross for Messi to plant a perfect header back across Van der Sar,” piped soccernet’s commentators of the goal.
Our opinion is that the contest came down to the sponsors on the jerseys of each team. United was stamped clearly with the logo of the massive multinational AIG, while Barcelona’s read UNICEF.
Related Stories:
