After some of the wonder goals from previous rounds and the high drama of the semi-finals, the Champions League final may not have delivered edge-of-your-seat, 90 minute excitement but what it did give us was a truly dominant performance by Barcelona, the new kings of Europe.
In what was described as the dream final, they proved far too strong for Premier League champions Manchester United and deservedly ran out winners by 2 goals to nil.
Footy Boots looks back at the game and charts the Football Boots timeline.
Early chance
Two minutes in and Manchester United are applying the pressure. The English side win a free kick and Ronaldo’s effort is fumbled by Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Ji-Sung Park looks favourite to get to the rebound first but former United defender Gerard Pique intervenes and scrambles the ball away to safety.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Goal
United are still the team looking the most dangerous but their spell of domination is ended by Barcelona’s first real attack of the final with 10 minutes gone. Andres Iniesta injects some pace through midfield and releases Samuel Eto’o in to the United box. The Cameroon international is allowed to turn inside by Nemanja Vidic and with his new Puma v1.08’s, he fires the ball past Van der Sar. 1 – 0.
Andres Iniesta – Nike Total 90 Laser II
Skills
Iniesta may have been an injury doubt before this game but it looks like no-one told the player himself! Along with Xavi, he’s running midfield and already United are chasing the game. Then a mesmerising bit of skill from Lionel Messi as Carrick, Rooney and Vidic are all given the run around.
Xavi – adidas Predator Rome
Woodwork time
United have brought on Carlos Tevez for the second half but it’s not making much difference. Barcelona are still the dominat force and nearly double their advantage when Xavi hits the post. His curling effort beats Van der Sar but smacks the upright and rebounds away to safety.
Goal
Twenty minutes are left as United fail to clear and the ball falls to Xavi. He strolls forward and sends his cross towards Messi who has split the United centre backs. For a moment it looks as if the pass is too high, but the diminutive genius seems to hang in the air and expertly sends his header in to the corner of the net. 2 – 0.
Lionel Messi – adidas F30i /F50i
Dominance
United try and mount a response but Ronaldo’s effort is blocked by Valdes and once again, it’s the Spanish side who look the more dangerous. Even their defenders are getting in on the act as Carlos Puyul, the expected weak link at right back, plants a firm header goalwards but too close to the United keeper.
Carlos Puyol – Nike Air Legend II
Full time
It’s all over and Barcelona are the champions. The phrase reverberating around Rome and Manchester is: “We were beaten by a better team.” No doubt about it. They were.
Manchester United players were afraid of Barcelona, it is as simple as that. Barcelona simply proved how superior they are.
As if not show the gold puma’s Eto’o was wearing 🙁
Messi’s F50i’s were mint! The other F50s are no where near as good (though I thought the black and white F50+ were sick)
messi killed ronaldo adidas all the way
messi wasnt wearing the F50i in training, look at the blades they’re white and if you look in the game, he is wearing the proper f50i
messi was wearing the new f30i last night not the f50i.
I believe he wears the F50i but with the blades. They’re some kind of a hybrid between the F50i and F30. Must think that the bladed studs are better than the circular ones. I agree with him.
VB – seen a close up of the boots messi was wearing?
it shows F30 printed on to the side !!!
nah, its not a hybrid, look at all pictures of him in the onld f30’s there exactly the same as you would find in any shop, prob true about the blades though they are much better than circular ones.
yeah they are the same material and everything but he does’nt like the manouevrable parts. Adidas shud really make a boot that Messi will endorse that is top of their range!
hahaha, everybody now what messi was wearing genius. we now that messi prefer the traxion soleplate.
Etos pumas were the nicest looking boots and definately had a great match scoring in the 10th minute.
Messi’s f50i really looked impressive. Officially a real competitor to the vapor line of nike. Great match for messi as well.
Giggs made a decent debut for the rebokk instante. Hope they make for a good boot.
Btw GO BARCA!!!
I think United just had a bad game. Barcelonas first goal was unexpected and just poor defending. Messi’s goal also could have easily been prevented. You knowm Chelsea has lost to tier 3 sides but whos the better team in reality? Chelsea. It does matter who wins in the end however. United should have stuck to a 4-4-2, put scholes in, had fletcher, etc. Ronaldo missing like 6 shots and park mising his 2 chances was just ridiculous. I personally belive united is the better team. The idiot who said F50 can compete with nike vapor…is an idiot (?) Vapors are supposed to be light (even though they are getting heavier?) and all of the f50s ive seen weigh around 11.5 + ounces. So they arent really speed boots. I recoommend puma v1.08s. Toe cap didnt affect me and they are lighter then the vapor 4s and 5s and have a great touch- not to mention durable.
Please…outside of the first few minutes, Barca dominated the entire game. Aside from a few sparks from Ronaldo, and admittedly missing a couple of sitters, they produced nothing. Barca ran them ragged with their slick passing and possession. Yeah, United missed a couple chances, but so did Barca. How about Xavi’s free kick hitting the post? He had Van der Sar beat. Closer than any or Ronaldo’s efforts. And since when is Fletcher an indispensable player? Barca had a completely makeshift back four, missing Abidal, Alves, and Marquez, and they kept a clean sheet against a full-strength United side. Barca simply intimidated United by scoring early and took advantage of it. And Chelsea better than Barca? You’re havin’ a laugh! Chelsea payed the price for being overly defensive in the first leg. They gambled on their ability to keep out what is arguably the most potent attacking team in football and lost. Serves ’em right for such a cynical strategy.
hey Lionel Messi i love your new boots.Don’t listen to those other people saying that wore the f30’s.you are so better than C.Ronaldo.That was a great game you played vs.man U did you know that i play soccer too.I am the best on my team even my coach says so.I have you jersey and it has the embossed on it.when i grow up i want to be just like you. i play for NWC Alliance.Well i hope you win a lot of your soccer games.and one more thing can you come to the USA so i can see you in real life and maybe we could play soccer together see you later
your biggest fan Keagan Devoe
viva realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
barcelona is not a good team and realmadrid is greatest than barca