Barcelona claims European glory

Spanish giants FC Barcelona claimed their third Champions League title in six years defeating Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley Stadium

In a rematch of the 2009 Champions League Final Barcelona once again proved the better of the two teams outplaying Manchester United to claim the crown. Barcelona opened the scoring in the 27th minute as Xavi threaded a beautiful pass to Pedro who froze United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar with a pinpoint shot to the bottom right corner of the net. Wayne Rooney equalized for the English side in the 34th minute on a give and go from Ryan Giggs, blasting the ball into the top corner of the net. The night, however, belonged to Lionel Messi who put Barcelona ahead for good in the 54th minute with a curving shot from outside the penalty area, squeaking it by the fingertips of van der Sar. David Villa added the insurance in the 69th minute chipping a shot into the top corner of the Manchester United net. The victory is Barcelona's fourth European title all of them coming in the last 19 years. Manchester United, in their third final in four years, became the fifth English team in six years to lose in the Champions League final. Lionel Messi was named Man of the Match after his goal, his 53rd of the year in all competitions, proved to be the winning marker. With the loss it has now been 32 years since Liverpool became the last English team to win a European title at home when the defeated Club Brugge at Old Wembley Stadium.