It’s Manchester United versus Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley, echoing the clash between two of the biggest teams in Europe from 2009, where the Catalonians will again hope to lift Europe’s most valuable prize. Join us for live score updates and a live blog of all the action.
We’ll be covering the flashes at goal, the cards (and the dives?), near misses and general observations from the best night of European football.
Unfortunately, kickoff time is at the particularly bleary time of 4.45am (AEST), but we’ll be cheerfully providing as much company as possible on this morning of football.
Manchester United are playing their third Champions League final in four years, a feat that knows few contenders and a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of consistency and excellence. Of course, the Red Devils wrapped up the English Premier League for a record 19th time – Ryan Giggs personally has more EPL medals than most teams in England.
Yet United still enters the battle at Wembley as less fancied than Barcelona, who won 2-0 when the teams met in the 2009 final in Rome.
Barca have the mercurial Messi, the coach in Pep Guardola who has amassed six trophies under his tenure with three straight domestic titles, and have gotten past fierce rivals Real Madrid on their way to the final.
It’s set to be a great match, join us from around 4:30am AEST for all the action
Half-time score: FC Barcelona 2 – 1 Manchester United –
FULL TIME: FC Barcelona 3 – 1 Man. United 1 – Barcelona WIN the 2011 UEFA Champions League
Goals:
27′ Pedro Rodriguez, 34′ Wayne Rooney, 53′ Lionel Messi, 69′ David Villa
dasilva
Guest
Thanks for the effort I admit i didn't really follow it as I was watching it on TV rather than checking the scores online but It's good to see someone put the effort in doing live commentary.
Bondy
Guest
Well done mate.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
As the sun rises here in NSW, Australia, Pep Guardiola's team is the shining light, a team to inspire and enjoy. That's a wrap here, hope you enjoyed
Tristan Rayner
Editor
A huge performance from a courageous Man United but were taken apart by Barcelona. Credit to Ferguson's team. Craig Foster offers that this Barce team may be one of the best ever, with sumptuous play. 2011 CL Final: A classic.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
FULL TIME! BARCELONA win the 2011 Champions League
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Three minutes of extra time to be played
Tristan Rayner
Editor
88' ManU keep pushing, just 120 seconds of normal time remaining
Tristan Rayner
Editor
87 - Busquets cops a inadvertant knee in the chest from Valencia, makes a show of holding his face. Man Utd players play medicos and try and help him on his feet and off the pitch. Danny Alves subbed off, Carles Puyol subbed on to cheers from the FCB crowd in a nice moment.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
85' Card for Valdez who is apparently wasting time. Villa subbed off for Keita.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
84' Looking increasingly unlikely here, Man Utd make a run courtesy of Nani who cut inside and shot but scooted right.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
82' FCB goal kick as Evra attempts something but comfortable for Barca
Tristan Rayner
Editor
80' Yellow for Valencia (finally)
Tristan Rayner
Editor
80' Ten minutes to go, two goals needed by Man United. Frustrations starting to play out for United. Sir Alex chewing with distinction. Must have an iron jaw.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
79' = Big appeals for handball from Giggs, replays show a play at the ball by Villa. Officials may have missed it. Giggs appealed vehemently.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
76' - Carrick makes way for Paul Scholes.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
75' Man U push but are closed down all over the pitch by a tireless Barcelona - working to the mantra of working harder without the ball.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Incredibly high quality football here from Barca, Man U having small patches of play but looking as second rate as any team playing against this from FCB
Tristan Rayner
Editor
72' Man U push forward but it holds little threat, with only Rooney able to really threaten as England's finest, although with far more brute force than style.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
What a goal. Messi charges deep, a ball gets cut back to Villa who hits another STUNNING finish past Ferdinand who charges and Van Der Sar can't possibly stretch far enough to his top corner. Wonder strike, a peach. What a game.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
70' GOAL VILLA! GOAL BARCA! 3-1!