MX23RW : Friday, June 11 20:40:01| >> :120:3755:3755:

On This Day: Man United lose Champions League final to Barcelona

On This Day: Man United lose Champions League final to Barcelona
© Reuters
Coach Pep Guardiola won his second European Cup as a manager in three years after a dominant performance from his side.

Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley on this day in 2011 to register their fourth victory in the competition thanks to a Lionel Messi masterclass.

Coach Pep Guardiola won his second European Cup as a manager in three years after a dominant performance from his side.

Barca reached the final after defeating El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the last four, with United sweeping aside Schalke 6-1 in their semi-final.

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Barcelona's second goal in the 2011 Champions League final
A Lionel Messi masterclass saw Barcelona beat Manchester United at Wembley (Nick Potts/PA)

The Catalan club outplayed United in the first half, enjoying 68 per cent possession and having 22 shots, but were still level at half-time as Pedro's opener was cancelled out by Wayne Rooney, who side-footed home from 15 yards after a one-two with Ryan Giggs.

Barcelona's dominance continued after the break with Messi, who moments earlier had seen a shot cleared off the line by Patrice Evra, firing in a low shot from 25 yards.

Messi's dribbling then caused panic in the United defence and David Villa capitalised to whip a shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area and secure Barcelona's third Champions League title in six years.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is thrown into the air by his players after victory in the 2011 Champions League final
Guardiola won his second Champions League in three years as a manager (Nick Potts/PA)

Eric Abidal, who had undergone surgery only two months earlier to remove a tumour in his liver, was given the honour of wearing the captain's armband during the trophy presentation ceremony and he was the first player to lift the trophy.

After the match Guardiola hailed Messi as "the best player I have ever seen" while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson conceded: "In my time as manager it is the best team we have faced."

ID:449307: cacheID:449307:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6345:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Youri Tielemans in action for Leicester City in May 2021
Read Next:
Liverpool want Youri Tielemans as Wijnaldum replacement?
>

rhs 2.0
Euro 2020 fixtures
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Jun 12, 2021
2pm
Jun 12, 2021
5pm
Jun 12, 2021
8pm
Sunday, June 13, 2021
 
2pm
Monday, June 14, 2021
Jun 14, 2021
5pm
Jun 14, 2021
8pm
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Jun 15, 2021
5pm

1:
European Championship
World Cup Qualifying - Asia
International Friendlies
International Friendlies
International Friendlies
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Belarusian Premier League
Uruguayan Primera Division
:1:
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38275683325186
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd382111673442974
3Liverpool38209968422669
4Chelsea381910958362267
5Leicester CityLeicester382061268501866
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham381981162471565
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs381881268452362
8Arsenal381871355391661
9Leeds UnitedLeeds38185156254859
10Everton38178134748-159
11Aston Villa38167155546955
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174662-1645
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38129173652-1645
14Crystal Palace38128184166-2544
15Southampton38127194768-2143
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914154046-641
17Burnley38109193355-2239
RFulham38513202753-2628
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom38511223576-4126
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3872292063-4323

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!