Europe falls at Barcelonas feet

It was Barcelonas second title in three years,and more dominating than its 2-0 win over United in Rome in 2009.

The victory was not unexpected,although it pitted two clubs widely considered the best in the world. Barca,the Spanish champions for three years in a row,were favored by oddsmakers. But United,who recently won their record 19th English title,liked their chances in a one-match duel in their home country.

Yet Barca dominated with their usual panache. No team works better in cramped spaces. If the game were played in a closet or on a pool table,Barca would still find a way to keep the ball away from their opponents.

Barca found their footing after a few sloppy minutes,and settled into their brand of keepaway. By games end,Barca had held 63 percent possession. They had 12 on-target shots. United had one.

Barcas first goal was a typical one. Playmaker Xavi Hernandez moved the ball straight upfield,as if it were attached to him by an invisible string,before lacing it wide to his right for Pedro Rodriguez. His low punch,in the 27th minute,caught goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar playing his final game uncharacteristically flat-footed.

The crowd of 87,695 sensed that it was witnessing something magical and historic. United fans were peculiarly quiet,as if resigned to the clubs fate as a foil to Barcas legacy. But Wayne Rooney unexpectedly reignited the passion,in the 34th minute,on a charge that began as an innocuous give-and-go along the right sideline. Rooney burst diagonally toward the goal,as Ryan Giggs settled in a spot to his right. Rooney tapped the ball to Giggs with the outside of his right foot,and Giggs,with a brief bobble,finessed a perfect return pass. Rooney one-timed the ball into the left corner of the goal.

It was a simple reprieve from an inevitable outcome. And it was Messi,named man of the match,who made sure Barca left with the championship they seemed to deserve. In the 54th minute,Messi found himself alone in the middle of the field. He moved quickly toward the goal and,just as defenders converged,sent a skipping shot to Van der Sars left for his 12th goal in 13 Champions League games and 53rd in all competitions.

In the 69th minute,Messi faked out substitute Nani near the right corner. Messis promising drive to the goal was ultimately thwarted,but the ball bounced back to midfielder Sergio Busquets,who slid it over to David Villa,who curled the ball into the upper corner of the net.

Barca French defender,Éric Abidal,who had a growth on his liver removed in March, was the first to lift the giant.

Defender Gerard Piqué later cut one of the nets from its iron frame,then wore it like a bride going down the church aisle. Every move was wildly cheered,just as they had been throughout the game. And every move will be recounted,at least until a better team comes along. JOHN BRANCH