Barcelona tops United to seize European title
ROME - Barcelona beat Manchester United, 2-0, last night to win the European Champions League for the second time in four seasons, dominating behind goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi.
Eto'o put the Spanish champions ahead in the 10th minute at the Stadio Olimpico. The three-time African player of the year from Cameroon took a pass from Andres Iniesta, cut around defender Nemanja Vidic, and beat Edwin van der Sar. The goalkeeper got a touch on the right-footed shot but couldn't keep it from going in at the near post.
Messi, a 21-year-old star of Argentina's national team, easily won the glamour duel with reigning FIFA player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi scored on a header from about six yards in the 70th minute off a cross from Xavi Hernandez for his ninth goal of the tournament and his first in 11 games against English opponents.
Messi, who had 38 of Barcelona's 153 goals this season, set off colorful celebrations at one end of the stadium, filled with 62,467 fans, and left English fans in silence as Manchester United's European unbeaten streak ended at 25 games.
In its first season under coach Pep Guardiola, the Catalan power won Europe's top club competition for the third time, after victories in 1992 and 2006.
"I've been waiting for so long to get this title," said Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, who played for the Arsenal team that lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life."
Manchester United was trying to become the first team to win consecutive European titles since AC Milan in 1989-90.
