Gunner's Lose on Fire Power!

Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1


Arsenal took the initiative and Thierry Henry, who else, could have scored within the first three minutes, but he was denied by the Barca keeper. It was a confident start, but all was to change in the eighteenth minute. Eto looked sure to score, but Lehmann had different ideas and brought him down, seemingly grasping his ankle. The ball broke loose and Ludovic Giuly shot it into the back of the net. However, the referee had blown for a free kick and the goal was disallowed. Lehmann was shown a red card, so he had to go, leaving Arsenal with ten men and no keeper.


The unfortunate Robert Pires, was substituted with reserve goalkeeper Almunia, who it must be said, played exceedingly well. The referee could have allowed the goal to stand, given Lehmann a yellow instead of a red, and the whole nature of the game, would have been different. He chose not to and so the Gunners were left with ten men.


All was not lost and Almunia was a worthy substitute in goal. Henry delivered a fine corner kick, and Campbell out jumped the opposition with an extraordinary leap, to score with a brilliant header. Sol had redeemed himself and, with a one nil lead at half time, Arsenal were still in the game.


It was certain to continue to be difficult in the second half, with ten men trying to beat eleven. Barcelona's chance came in the 76th minute, when substitute Larson's pass put Eto in for the equaliser. Rough justice perhaps! Five minutes later Larson was again involved, when Belletti scored the winner.


It wasn't a classic final but it was intriguing. It was not just a match between Henry and Ronaldhino, reputed to be the world's finest. Both teams did their best. Press reports suggested that the referee might have done his worst! The outcome could have been different if he had yellow carded Lehmann, and allowed the goal to stand. However, that's football, the game is over - Well done Barcelona.