Barcelona have beaten Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, with goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi and David Vila helping the Catalans to a historic 3-1 victory.
Manchester United started brightly, with the likes of Park Ji-Sung and Javier Hernandez working tirelessly to close down Barcelona’s numerous playmakers high up the pitch. As Barcelona misplaced passes, Manchester United gathered momentum and Hernandez found himself with the first half chance of the match courtesy of a through ball from Wayne Rooney. The diminutive Mexican found himself crowded out by Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique, but Ferguson’s men were in the ascendency.
As the match progressed, Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta grew in confidence, retaining the ball with increasing ease and dictating the tempo of the game. Messi started to find space in behind the central midfield partnership of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, picking the ball up on the half way line and driving straight at the heart of Manchester United’s defensive line.
Vidic and Ferdinand managed to see off the threat of Messi, but were caught cold just minutes later when a pass threaded through to Pedro Rodriguez caught Nemanja Vidic off balance and left the crafty Spaniard with a sight of goal. Hammering low past a flailing Edwin van der Sar – playing the final game of an illustrious career – to put Barcelona in the driving seat.
Barcelona’s celebrations were short lived, however, as United fought back with gusto and vitality. Wayne Rooney stole the ball on the right flank, exchanged passes with Patrice Evra, then slid the ball into Ryan Giggs before receiving the ball back and hammering it into the top left corner of Victor Valdes’ net. As Rooney wheeled away to celebrate with a jubilant Manchester United contingent, Sir Alex Ferguson shot to the touchline in a bid to calm and encourage his side.
Whilst the scores were level at 1-1 by the half-time whistle, Barcelona had certainly offered more of an attacking threat. Sixty-seven per cent of the possession was in Barcelona’s ownership, with Pep Guardiola’s side once again offering a masterclass in how to keep the ball.
The second half saw Barcelona take the lead once again; Lionel Messi was offered too much space on the edge of the box, as a smashed the ball low past an outstretched Edwin van der Sar. Taking the initiative, David Villa also discovered enough space outside the area to find a sight of goal, beautifully guiding a curled shot into the top right hand corner to put Barcelona 3-1 up and seemingly out of sight.
Manchester United struggled to find a way back into the match; Ferguson’s side looked exhausted and out of ideas, struggling to get Hernandez into the game despite the best efforts of an impressive Wayne Rooney.
By the final whistle, Manchester United had been outpassed, outfought, outclassed and out-thought; Barcelona secured a second Champions League trophy under Pep Guardiola, at the same venue the secured their very first European trophy in 1992.
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic conceded they had lost to the better team; “I have to say they had more chances than we did and we have to give them a hand and say that they were better than us tonight.”
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