United Team Up To Beat Barcelona

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Manchester United 1 - 0 Barcelona

A fine team effort from Manchester United, saw them through to the final of the European Championship, for the first time in nine years. It was a well balanced game that could have gone either way, but it was United who played better as a team to steal the spoils, and book their place in Moscow on the 21st May.

It was Paul Scholes who fittingly delivered the killer blow, in the 14th minute. Zambrotta's abortive attempt to clear resulted in the ball landing at Scholes's feet. In such situations there could be not greater danger, because there is no finer striker of the ball, than the diminutive midfielder. He does not score that many goals these days, as he is usually kept busy helping out with other matters. However, gifted this chance he did not hesitate, and rifled the ball into the net from about 25 yards, to the rapturous applause of the packed stands.

Things could have started differently, as Messi moved forward menacingly, in the early minutes of the game. He was tripped, by Scholes on the edge of the box to concede a free kick. It was only just outside the box, so it was as well that the German referee only awarded a free kick. It was the right decision, but there have been many instances when penalties have been awarded, when fouled players have fallen into the box!

Until the Scholes goal, Barcelona had appeared more settled and stronger. But although they posses great individual skills, somehow they didn't present themselves as a team. Messi was a constant danger, but he was not as closely marked, as was Ronaldo by Barcelona. The Portuguese star was not given much space, but he was an integral part of his side's team effort.

With the away goals ruling, if Barca had got an 'equaliser' they would have won. Van der Sar was on his toes to save from Messi, but Park should have done better when he received a telling ball from Ronaldo. Deco went close on a couple of occasions, so both sides had good chances, with Nani missing from close up, just before the interval.

Barcelona attacked continuously in the second half, but they were repelled by a solid United defence, led by Ferdinand, Wes Brown, and, of course, Van der Sar. It seemed somewhat strange that Thierry Henry didn't come on until the 60th minute, when he replaced Iniesta. He had two good chances, from head and boot, but fortunately for United, seemed not to have quite the sparkle of his Arsenal days. There have been rumours that he has not fully settled at Barca, and that he could return to London!

United were uplifted by their magnificent fans, whose roars of encouragement were, perhaps, the real difference between these two great sides!

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Manchester United Vs Barcelona
soccer and football
Manchester United Vs Barcelona