Barcelona Mess up United's Moment

It was billed as the "Dream Final"- two footballing heavyweights playing beautiful football. Although it didn't quite live up to the hype, it still made compulsive viewing.

Failed to re-write history- The United players and the Manager look mystified

All the pre-match talk focused on Messi vs. Ronaldo. To be honest, most people including myself thought that Ronaldo would win that battle and guide his troops to victory. Why? Messi having played 11 games against English sides had failed to find the back of the net. He had been man marked and his threat nullified. Meanwhile, Ronaldo had scored in every knock out stage including two scorchers against Porto and Arsenal and seemed unplayable. Added to that, he had scored a bullet like header in last years final.

As is the case so often with cup finals, the form book should be thrown out of the window and it was Messi who won the dual in devastating fashion.

Penny for your thoughts? Bar 10 minutes at the start, he was outclassed by Messi & Co

Sucker Punch

For the first 10 minutes Ronaldo his team mates lived up to expectation. Ronaldo in particular looking like a man on a mission as he rained shots in on Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal. If anyone of them had gone in it could have been a different game.

The wind was however, knock out of United's sails on the 10 minutes mark, completely against the run of play. It was the little magician Iniesta who created the danger as he was allowed to run straight through the middle of park. His pass into Eto'o on the far edge of the box looked harmless enough yet the wily striker turned Vidic far too easily and poked the ball towards the near post. It took Van der Saar by surprise and the keeper could only divert the shot into his goal. There was a moment of silence and then celebration as the crowd realised the ball had sneaked into the net.

Throughout the rest of the first half, United threatened but Barcelona stood firm as the game petered out.


Tactical Switch

As expected, Alex Ferguson changed things around at half time, bringing on Tevez who had so often this season made an impact from the bench. But it was all in vain. The United players looked drained, punch drunk. Henry could have and perhaps should have killed the game off after the restart when he cut in from the left flank in trademark style before firing an effort which Van der Saar saved well. The warning shot had been fired.

With all the talk of Messi and Ronaldo, it would have been disappointing had one of them not created or scored a goal. Ronaldo failed to convert numerous half chances but Messi only needed one. As Xavi played in the ball, Messi peeled off Ferdinand in the centre and the small 5ft 7" Argentinian rose majestically to loop a header past the helpless Van der Saar. In a single moment Messi had simultaneously broken his duck and won the Champions League final. United huffed and puffed for the rest of the match, could not muster a shot on goal in the second half.


The Best

Much credit has to be given to Barcelona who were not able to field their strongest 11. Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves were missing, meaning that Barcelona had to field a makeshift defence. In the centre of this defence was 22 year old Pique who had once been a United player. Ironically, he was not even good enough to make the bench while playing for the Red Devils, yet last night he played out of his skin and showed Ferguson what a good player he is.

On the night United were simply outplayed. There were no dodgy penalty decisions, no debatable offsides. No excuses. They were simply not good enough. It appeared one match too many for the ageing legs of Ryan Giggs and Ferdinand and Vidic looked like deers in the headlights as they were the weak link in defence.

Simply the best

Man of the Match- Hard to single out one person from the Barcelona side as they were all magnificient. Xavi does deserve special mention as he was outstanding alongside Iniesta. He created the second goal and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.

Villian/s of the Match- The two poorest Manchester United players Ferdinard and Vidic can share this award. Both made individuals mistakes which resulted in goals.

Goal of the Match- Eto'o scoring a goal from nothing completely against the run of play turned the game on its head.

Attempt of the Match- Xavi curls a free-kick around the wall which has Van der Saar beaten all ends up but cannons off the post.