The two best football teams in the world squared up at Stadio Olimpico in Rome as Barcelona romped home with a 2-0 win over English champions Manchester United.
A first-half goal from Samuel Eto'o in the opening ten minutes put an end to Barca's nervy start and then in the 70th minute Lionel Messi scored with a magnificent header, his first goal against an English side and his ninth Champions League goal of the season.
United began with the confidence of European Champions, but ended most definitely the second-best team.
The victory over the defending champions completed a sweep of titles for 38-year-old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his first season after wins in the Spanish league and cup.
United had been chasing their fourth European Cup title, and fourth trophy this season after winning the Premier League, Fifa Club World Cup and League Cup.
United were thoroughly outplayed by the Spanish side as Messi scored his 38th goal of an amazing year for Barcelona.
The loss left Man United manager Alex Ferguson at 25 titles in 23 seasons.
He failed to match Liverpool's Bob Paisley's three titles in the competition.
Nervous start
Ronaldo looked to have the earliest opportunity to score as United dominated the opening 10 minutes.
In the second minute his dipping free kick was mopped up by Pique after a rebound off the keeper.
Barca looked nervy and it was United who started forcefully in this 54th European Cup final.
It was five United shots to Barca's 0 in the first 10 minutes until Barca finally ventured into their attacking third and Eto'o weaved past Anderson for the 156th goal of their season.
From then on the dynamic changed – United needed to re-build but looked nervy with careless balls given away.
Lionel Messi proves the critics wrong [GALLO/GETTY]
Fine Messi
In the second half, United threw caution to the wind and attacked more.
Tevez came on for Anderson, giving United a strike force of Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez.
Both teams had good spells of passing, but it was careless passing from United that eventually cost them their second goal.
A beautiful cross from Xavi gave Messi the opportunity for a golden header, essentially sealing the deal for Barca.
United played the same line-up that faced English side Arsenal in the semi-final, except of course for the forced change of veteran Ryan Giggs for Fletcher, with manager Ferguson's line-up including seven of the players who won in Moscow last year.
United's South Korean winger Park Ji-Sung became the first Asian footballer to play in a Champions League final.
The victory also marked the first Champions League title for French striker Thierry Henry, who was on the losing side when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in 2006.
'Worthy winners'
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson offered no excuses and said Barcelona were worthy winners.
"I think the first goal was a killer for us, we started brightly too, we got a bit nervous after that," Ferguson told British TV channel ITV.
"We had plenty of time, we had some half-chances in the second half but in fairness we were beaten by a better team.
"After the goal it was very difficult for us.
"They defended quite well, we thought we could get at their back four better than we did that was the disappointment."
United's defence has been superb this season but they looked shaky from the start and were badly exposed for both goals.
"They were two bad goals to lose at this level especially when we have really excelled defending this season," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"But we were playing against a good team and we've got to give them credit. Xavi and Iniesta can keep the ball all night. They made it difficult for us."
United central defender Rio Ferdinand said his team had not produced their best football.
"I don't think there's one of us out there can say we played well to be honest, as individuals or collectively," he said.
"(The first goal) was a bit of a sucker punch, we'd had a few good chances before that"
Rio Ferdinand
"(The first goal) was a bit of a sucker punch, we'd had a few good chances before that.
"But no excuses, not on today's performance, they were the better team.
"Special moments decide these games and they were deserved winners today."
A first-half goal from Samuel Eto'o in the opening ten minutes put an end to Barca's nervy start and then in the 70th minute Lionel Messi scored with a magnificent header, his first goal against an English side and his ninth Champions League goal of the season.
United began with the confidence of European Champions, but ended most definitely the second-best team.
The victory over the defending champions completed a sweep of titles for 38-year-old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his first season after wins in the Spanish league and cup.
United had been chasing their fourth European Cup title, and fourth trophy this season after winning the Premier League, Fifa Club World Cup and League Cup.
United were thoroughly outplayed by the Spanish side as Messi scored his 38th goal of an amazing year for Barcelona.
The loss left Man United manager Alex Ferguson at 25 titles in 23 seasons.
He failed to match Liverpool's Bob Paisley's three titles in the competition.
Nervous start
Ronaldo looked to have the earliest opportunity to score as United dominated the opening 10 minutes.
In the second minute his dipping free kick was mopped up by Pique after a rebound off the keeper.
Barca looked nervy and it was United who started forcefully in this 54th European Cup final.
It was five United shots to Barca's 0 in the first 10 minutes until Barca finally ventured into their attacking third and Eto'o weaved past Anderson for the 156th goal of their season.
From then on the dynamic changed – United needed to re-build but looked nervy with careless balls given away.
Lionel Messi proves the critics wrong [GALLO/GETTY]
Fine Messi
In the second half, United threw caution to the wind and attacked more.
Tevez came on for Anderson, giving United a strike force of Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez.
Both teams had good spells of passing, but it was careless passing from United that eventually cost them their second goal.
A beautiful cross from Xavi gave Messi the opportunity for a golden header, essentially sealing the deal for Barca.
United played the same line-up that faced English side Arsenal in the semi-final, except of course for the forced change of veteran Ryan Giggs for Fletcher, with manager Ferguson's line-up including seven of the players who won in Moscow last year.
United's South Korean winger Park Ji-Sung became the first Asian footballer to play in a Champions League final.
The victory also marked the first Champions League title for French striker Thierry Henry, who was on the losing side when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in 2006.
'Worthy winners'
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson offered no excuses and said Barcelona were worthy winners.
"I think the first goal was a killer for us, we started brightly too, we got a bit nervous after that," Ferguson told British TV channel ITV.
"We had plenty of time, we had some half-chances in the second half but in fairness we were beaten by a better team.
"After the goal it was very difficult for us.
"They defended quite well, we thought we could get at their back four better than we did that was the disappointment."
United's defence has been superb this season but they looked shaky from the start and were badly exposed for both goals.
"They were two bad goals to lose at this level especially when we have really excelled defending this season," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"But we were playing against a good team and we've got to give them credit. Xavi and Iniesta can keep the ball all night. They made it difficult for us."
United central defender Rio Ferdinand said his team had not produced their best football.
"I don't think there's one of us out there can say we played well to be honest, as individuals or collectively," he said.
"(The first goal) was a bit of a sucker punch, we'd had a few good chances before that"
Rio Ferdinand
"(The first goal) was a bit of a sucker punch, we'd had a few good chances before that.
"But no excuses, not on today's performance, they were the better team.
"Special moments decide these games and they were deserved winners today."
