Gear Bag
Barcelona Wins Champions League Title
Barcelona overtook a 10-man Arsenal squad with two late second half strikes to become European club Champions, 2-1.
Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann was sent off at the 17th minute after grabbing Samuel Eto'o outside the box during a breakaway chance. The shorthanded Gunners responded with a superb set piece goal by Sol Campbell to go up 1-nil in the 37th minute.
The London side valiantly held their lead until the 76th, when Eto'o beat reserve 'keeper Manuel Almunia near side. Barcelona then poured on the pressure and Arsenal crumbled under fatigue. Five minutes later, reserve Juliano Belletti's strike went through Alumnia's legs for the winner.
The pre-game spotlight stars, Ronaldinho and Henry, both had chances to make their mark on the final tally, but neither one could find the net. Arsenal played well with 10 men, but ran out of steam at the end. Overall, Eto'o's speed was the game's biggest factor, as the Cameroon international notched a goal and also drew the red card on Lehmann that changed the rest of the night in Barcelona's favor.
Image: Getty Images Sport by: Mike Hewitt
Comments
Go Barcelona!
Posted by: Tionson Bikajela | May 17, 2006 06:20 PM
GO BARCALONA!
GOOD JOB RONALDINHO
GOOD JOB ETO
GOOD JOB BARCALONA
Posted by: Lil Ronaldinho | May 17, 2006 09:59 PM
BARCALONA GOT LUCKY
HENRY IS THE BEST
Posted by: LIL HENRY | May 17, 2006 10:00 PM
That was the worst one-sided referreed game I have ever seen. I like both teams, its just seemed every call was for Barca.
Posted by: Soccerfreak10 | May 17, 2006 10:47 PM
great final,great match,great players,great goals.... what again,what we need !!!!!
the gunner deserve a one big SALUT, and deserve to be beat by barca!!! and same if it was barca who are losse, coz both team a equal. bravo arsenal/barcelona.
soccerman.
Posted by: soccerman | May 17, 2006 10:54 PM
WHAT A GAME!!!!
UNFORTUNATELY ARSENAL COULDNT KEEP THE LEAD WITH A MAN DOWN.MAJOR PROPS TO ARSENAL'S DEFENSE WHO PLAYED ALMOST ENTIRE GAME WITH A MAN DOWN.WOULDVE LOVED TO SEE THE WHOLE GAME WITH ALL 22 PLAYERS ON THE FIELD.MAYBE A DIFERENT OUTCOME HUH?
Posted by: GEO MARTINEZ | May 18, 2006 01:20 AM
Great game!
This one will definetely make history. Arsenal played a heroic game; Barca showed the world the kind of great team they're about. One of the most emotional game of champions league history.
It would've been a dream game with 11 against 11.
Posted by: soccerfreak | May 18, 2006 01:52 AM
I like both teams, but I was pulling for Arsenal... They made a very good effort. A big ups goes to Barcelona!
Posted by: lil_soccer_mami 21 | May 18, 2006 10:24 AM
eto'o is the best
Posted by: little dutch man | May 18, 2006 10:47 AM
Glad to see baca won, but a terrable game. It was so one sided, and almost boring at times.
Posted by: Brandon | May 18, 2006 12:30 PM
whoever say soccer, it's call FOOTBALL.
Posted by: A. B. G. de Phirmeus | May 18, 2006 12:44 PM
Fantastic match. High drama from beginning to end. No question the sending off changed the complexion of the game. I think the referee should have played the advantage and only given Lehmann a yellow. Even Arsenal would have been better off. No question the man advantage was the difference in the last 20 minutes. Questionable decision by Wenger to sacrifice Pires.
Posted by: ForzaItalia | May 18, 2006 12:47 PM
You are the best,specialy for marquez because he has became the first mexican to win a champions league, and thanks to ronaldinho and eto, larsson , belleti and everyone. congratulations.
Posted by: Ismael Moreno | May 18, 2006 03:07 PM
IT'S NOT FOOTBALL. IT'S FUTBOL!
Posted by: FEZ! | May 18, 2006 08:04 PM
Haha the match was terrible. Yes barca deserved to win. And yes the ref was terrible as well, but equally for both sides. Why does bad reffing seem to happen in big games?????
Posted by: Anonymous | May 18, 2006 10:17 PM
Arsenal vs barca who had more than 11 persons (including the wonderpool refferee)
Posted by: Anonymous | May 19, 2006 08:25 AM
IT WAS A GREAT MATCH GO BARCALONA
Posted by: DAN | May 19, 2006 03:40 PM
THE REF WAS NOT GREAT
Posted by: DAN | May 19, 2006 03:43 PM
Ronaldinho didn't do anything.
Arsenal would have won if they had a full squad and Larsson.
Posted by: south central select | May 20, 2006 03:40 PM
i agree with you, south central. I think barca did well but i didnt see ronaldinho.
Posted by: matt | May 20, 2006 04:10 PM
oh....i love barca & eto'o hi did good job
Posted by: dawit | May 21, 2006 09:31 AM
Great game! The intensity level was extremely high! Great job!
Posted by: soccerbeast09 | May 21, 2006 11:16 AM
carcelona is the best
Posted by: ibrahim | May 22, 2006 05:40 AM
Rafael Marquez is the best
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2006 07:45 AM
Ronaldinho is #1 no one is ever gonna be like him. Don't let Brazil down show the other teams what you know.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2006 07:49 AM
Ronaldinho is the best
Posted by: Gus | May 22, 2006 12:02 PM
Allah made Ronaldinho and Eto'o to play together. The combination is a perfect kind. Ronie is the best distributor whille Eto'o is the best attacker on the planet currently. They deserve each other. Thanks.
Posted by: doe | May 23, 2006 03:34 AM
RONALDINHO YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: christiaan | May 23, 2006 08:36 AM
YOU are the best !!
Posted by: Jolandi | May 23, 2006 08:41 AM
let's go barcalona
Posted by: fredy | August 8, 2006 06:55 PM
both the teams sucked equally.chelsea is the best.
Posted by: chelsea rox | September 24, 2006 10:37 AM
ronaldinho was the best player out there better than thierry henry, mrodona,ronaldo,and c ronaldo could beat anyone out there.barca coudn,t win without ronaldinho.i hope i can be better than him at least as good. GO RONALDINHO AND BARCALONA
Posted by: ezana | February 25, 2007 11:12 PM
Barca is the best
Posted by: Garrett Vena | June 7, 2007 02:42 PM
i hat eyou ronaldino thierry henry way better then you you r a fat lard
Posted by: reggie | December 7, 2007 11:41 PM
Barca rocks! Surly an amazing game!
Posted by: Kimalowa | May 2, 2008 07:33 PM