Classy Barca Outshine Manchester United to win the Champions League (video)

Manchester United 0 - Barcelona 2 (Champions League Final, May 27, 2009) (Longer highlights here and extended highlights here.) (The opening ceremony can be seen here.) After Manchester United put in all the early running in Rome, Ronaldo striking the target with a rasping free-kick after two minutes before Ronaldo had two further chances in the opening ten minutes, it was Barca who snatched the lead with their first attack of the game.

Iniesta carry the ball into the final third, played in Samuel Eto’o in the box, and the Cameroonian beat Vidic before firing past Van der Sar. Giggs sent a  free-kick over the bar as United looked for the leveller. (First half highlights here.)

Thierry Henry was foiled by Van der Sar, before Xavi crashed a free-kick against the United post, as Barca came flying out the traps early in the second half. And in the 70th minute that Catalans bagged their second, Xavi picking out an unmarked Lionel Messi in the box and the Argentine rose high to head home.

Barcelona’s trophy and post match celebrations can be seen here.