Barcelona against Arsenal

Arsenal finally win the ball back; Reyes tries to fire in a cross for Henry, but Marquez is in a good position to nod clear and win the ball back for his side.

The game is rather limping to its conclusion; Arsenal seem too weary to chase down possession, and Barcelona are knocking the ball about with relative ease.

The Barcelona fans are rightly celebrating; Arsenal look dead and buried. They have worked themselves in to the ground trying to keep hold of that lead, and those two goals have broken their spirit.

ARSENAL SUB: Hleb is replaced by Reyes; an attacking change by Wenger, who has to go for broke.

Barcelona aren't letting Arsenal have a touch; they are masters at keeping the ball and are working Arsenal hard in midfield as they hunt back possession.

Only four people have won the Champions League as a player and a manager - Miguel Munoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff and Carlo Ancelotti. Frank Rijkaard stands on the brink of being added to that list.

Barcelona are just trying to keep hold of the ball now, trying to wear Arsenal down further and see out this game.

To be fair, Barcelona remained patient and they have been rewarded. Rijkaard's substitutions have paid off, with Larsson involved in both goals and Belletti scoring what could be the winner.

GOAL! Arsenal have finally crumpled! Belletti and Larsson combine brilliantly down the right, the full-back smashing a low shot underneath Almunia at the near post.

Barcelona win a corner when Iniesta's cross is blocked by Toure.

The rain is pelting down in Paris, and the Arsenal players look really, really tired. Can they hold on and force extra-time?

WEAK! Ronaldinho cuts in from the right, but his left-foot shot from the edge of the area lacks power and is easily claimed by Almunia.

Arsenal now have to hang on, because they are going to come under enormous pressure in these final minutes.

GOAL! Barcelona finally find the gap. Eto'o slides past Almunia from a tight angle after sprinting on to a through-ball from Iniesta.

Henry looks absolutely shattered; he has run himself in to the ground on his own up front.

ARSENAL SUB: Flamini replaces Fabregas; the Arsenal players are starting to look very tired, and Wenger opts for some fresh legs in midfield.

More intelligent hold-up play from Henry wins his side a valuable, time-wasteing corner.

GETTING CLOSER! Ronaldinho bursts in to the area, but Cole manages to put the Brazilian under enough pressure to force him to slide his shot wide of the near post from a tight angle.

BARCELONA SUB: Oleguer off, Belletti on. Rijkaard's final throw of the dice as he desperately searches for this equaliser.

WELL WIDE! Fabregas finds himself in space through the middle; he has no support so attempts an ambitious shot from distance, but his right-foot shot is dragged well wide.

Ronaldinho fires in a shot that flies narrowly wide of the post; he hasn't had a good night tonight.

GREAT CHANCE! Henry breaks through the middle, but his side-foot shot is weak and Valdes makes a comfortable save.

Oleguer is booked for a slide challenge on Ljungberg; perhaps a harsh decision, but the right-back has got away with a few so far tonight.

The ball is worked out to the right wing once more, but Iniesta's cross is too deep and runs out for a throw. Arsenal do need to be careful defending down their flanks.

SAVE! Ljungberg robs the ball from Oleguer, breaks in to the area and fires in a shot from a tight angle, but Valdes tips his effort over the bar for a corner.

Henry goes on an individual break, making Marquez look foolish with a brilliant flick, though he slightly over-runs the ball and Valdes collects inside his six-yard box.

Iniesta tries a give-and-go on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, but Toure makes another important interception.

There is a growing sense that Barcelona are starting to get a little impatient and frustrated as the game wears on.

There is still a long, long way to go, but Arsenal look really well organised and determined at the back. If they can just keep their discipline and concentration...

GOOD BREAK! Arsenal break at pace; Fabregas feeds Henry, who works it wide to Hleb down the right channel. The Belorussian cuts on to his left foot, but his shot is dragged a yard wide of the near post.

WOEFUL! Ronaldinho tries to fire in a first-time effort as the ball is fed from the left, but he gets it horribly wrong and his shot flies twenty yards wide. World's Best Player? No chance.

BARCELONA SUB: Van Bommel is replaced by Larsson; another attacking change from Rijkaard, bringing on the prolific Swedish striker.

Henry just can't turn Puyol inside the penalty area, though Arsenal do win a corner when the Spanish centre-back sees the ball out of play.

Almunia comes a long way to take Van Bronkhorst's cross from the left; a good effort, because the ball is getting greasy as the rain starts to fall in Paris.

A cynical foul from Oleguer halts Ljungberg in his tracks down the Arsenal left; the Gunners' bench are unhappy at the lack of a booking for the challenge.

GOOD BLOCK! Ronaldinho drifts past Eboue down the left and cuts in to the penalty area; he tries to cut the ball back for Giuly, but Almunia reads his intentions and blocks the cross.

POOR EFFORT! Ronaldinho's shot hits the wall, a dreadful effort as the referee had managed to get the Arsenal men at least 14 yards back from the ball. Another let-off for the Gunners.

...Ronaldinho measures up his shot as Almunia lines up his wall...

Ronaldinho is brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Eboue; free-kick to Barcelona, in a very favourable spot...

Ironic cheers from the Arsenal fans as a free-kick decision goes their way - it has to be said, the referee has had a poor game so far this evening.

Deco's pass out to the right just has a little too much on it as he tries to spread the play and find Oleguer, in some space on the right flank.

GOOD SAVE! Almunia is down very quickly to save Iniesta's low shot from the edge of the area. The Arsenal keeper is going to have to be at his very best for the rest of this half.

Henry is very harshly booked for a challenge on Van Bommel; that was a ridiculous decision from the referee - if anything, it was the Arsenal captain who was fouled, not the other way around.

Arsenal will be taking every opportunity to slow the play down and relieve the pressure; Almunia is already taking his time over goal-kicks.

Barcelona are finding a lot of space down the right-hand side early in this second half - they need to be careful not to defend too narrow and neglect the flanks.

GOOD HANDLING! Almunia manages to keep hold of Deco's low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Campbell makes an importance clearance from Oleguer's low cross from the right.

Only four clubs have completed the full set of all three European trophies: Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus; if Arsenal hold on, they will become the fifth club to accomplish the feat.

Iniesta plays a good ball down the right channel for Van Bommel, but his first-time cross is over-hit and drifts out for a goal-kick.

Arsenal have to use the ball better in this second half, if they are to avoid spending its entireity camped in their own penalty area.

Arsenal have now gone an incredible 16 HOURS without conceding a goal in this competition - 45 minutes more and they will enjoy the greatest night in their history.

Arsenal kick off the second half, here in Paris. Can they hold on to that precious lead and win their first Champions League, or will Barcelona make their numerical advantage tell? Who knows - but it's going to be fun finding out...

BARCELONA SUB: Iniesta replaces Edmilson; an offensive change from Rijkaard, who replaces the defensively-minded Edmilson with the creative youngster Iniesta.

HALF-TIME: A half of amazing drama; Arsenal are down to ten and are being completely out-played, but Campbell's header means they go in a goal to the good.

Replays are showing that Almunia managed to get a fingertip on Eto'o's shot, turning it on to the post - a wonderful save from the Spaniard.

That was a massive slice of luck for Arsenal; Eto'o was faced only with Almunia, but somehow managed to find the woodwork with his shot.

OFF THE POST! Eto'o spins brilliantly inside the penalty area, but his right-foot shot crashes back off the post and away to safety.

Barcelona are dominating possession, but Arsenal are looking compact, determined and organised at the back.

There will be four additional minutes at the end of the first half - mostly due to the time it took for Lehmann to leave the field and for Arsenal to get their substitute keeper on.

Toure is having a massive game at the back for Arsenal; he is flying in to tackles with absolutely no fear whatsoever - and mostly winning them.

Arsenal manage to break when Toure intercepts a pass on the edge of his penalty area; Hleb and Henry break alone, and Arsenal win a free-kick when Puyol fouls the Gunners' French skipper.

RUBBISH! Oleguer finds the ball at his feet on the right-corner of the Arsenal box, but his cross-shot flies high over the crossbar, to the delight of the Arsenal fans.

Cole slides in with a very strong, well-timed tackle on Van Bommel, who didn't like it. He has a word with Cole as they get to their feet, but is given short-change in reply by the England full-back.

Eboue is back on the pitch after a minute of treatment on the sideline. The Arsenal fans are flying now - they can't believe their side have taken the lead.

Eboue is down holding his left knee; the Arsenal physio sprints on to give him some treatment.

If Arsenal can get to half-time with the lead, they will take real heart from it in the second period.

We have got a game on now! Arsenal, down to ten men, have snatched a highly unlikely lead! It was a great header from the England man, and Valdes had no chance.

GOAL! Incredible! Henry clips the free-kick in to the six-yard box, and Campbell powers home a header!

Eboue brilliantly gets away down the right; he goes down under a soft challenge from Puyol, when it might have been better for him to keep going and head towards goal. As it is, the referee gives Arsenal a free-kick, on the right-edge of the area...

Arsenal are under so much pressure at the moment; on the very rare occasions that they do manage to get the ball back, they don't have any outlets - Henry is so isolated on his own up-front.

EXCELLENT DEFENDING! Ronaldinho slides an inch-perfect pass in to the path of Eto'o, but Toure makes a great challenge inside the area to get the ball back to Almunia.

Almunia comes a long way out of his goal to intercept Deco's through-ball, looking for the run of Giuly. Good awareness from the Arsenal substitute goalkeeper.

The referee's decision to disallow Barcelona's goal earlier means that Arsenal's record sequence of minutes without letting in a Champions League goal continues - it was 919 minutes before the match began.

Eto'o tries a neat turn on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, but Eboue and Toure combine to rob him and clear.

It is very cat-and-mouse at the moment; Barcelona are having most of the possession, and Arsenal are getting all nine of their outfield players behind the ball to try and cut down the space.

Ronaldinho goes down under Henry's challenge, out on the right wing; the referee, who isn't endearing himself to the Arsenal players or supporters, awards Barcelona another free-kick.

WHAT A CHALLENGE! Giuly makes another good run inside the full-back as he tries to get on the end of Ronaldinho's pass, but Cole makes a well-timed challenge inside his penalty area to slide the ball out for a corner.

Edmilson is down, holding his back after a heavy fall following a challenge for a header; the physio is on the pitch, attempting to work some magic with his healing hands.

Puyol sends a long ball over the top for Eto'o to chase, but his pass is too strong and Toure allows it to run out of play.

We have got a different kind of game on our hands now; what started out as an open, attacking, fast-paced game is now going to turn in to more of a tactical battle.

Arsenal have changed to a 4-4-1 formation following Lehmann's dismissal, with Henry still up front on his own. They are going to have to rely even more on the counter-attack if they are to triumph tonight.

Eboue is booked for a late challenge on Van Bronkhorst; it was a definite booking, but the referee does seem to be losing control of this game following that controversial decision a few minutes ago.

Lehmann's was the first red card in a Champions League final - and it has left Arsenal with a mountain to climb.

WIDE! Ronaldinho goes for the far corner, but he gets too much bend on the ball and Ashley Cole - stood on the goalline - allows it to drift wide of the far post.

Almunia lines up his wall as Ronaldinho stands over the ball...

Arsenal now have to play the rest of the game with 10 men - and they still have the danger of a Ronaldinho free-kick, right on the edge of the area...

ARSENAL SUB: Pires off, Almunia on. Pires is sacrificed as Wenger brings on his reserve goalkeeper.

Barcelona would have preferred the referee to allowed advantage and for the goal have stood, but the referee has ruled to stop the play and show the red card to Lehmann.

LEHMANN OFF! The referee sends off the Arsenal goalkeeper, rules out the goal, and awards Barcelona a free-kick on the edge of the area.

CONTROVERSY! Eto'o breaks through the middle, but is brought down by Lehmann; Giuly tucks the ball home, but the referee has already blown...

NOT THERE, SON! Pires tries to dribble the ball clear out of danger, but only gives the ball to Deco; fortunately for Arsenal, his shot from the edge of the area is straight at Lehmann.

Deco spreads another superb pass out to the right for Giuly, who again brings the ball under control in an instant; those two have started the game very brightly.

Deco spots the run of Giuly, who had cut in from the right wing, but Toure had tracked the run and heads clear on the edge of his penalty area.

A clumsy foul from Oleguer gives Arsenal a free-kick, out on the left touchline. The ball is delivered in to the penalty area, but the referee rules that Campbell had fouled Valdes as they jumped.

OOOH! The great Brazilian fires in a right-footed shot, but his effort flies a yard or so wide of Lehmann's far post. The big German didn't look too concerned.

Ronaldinho stands over the set-piece, looking menacing...

A clumsy challenge on Edmilson from Toure gifts Barcelona a free-kick, 30 yards out, dead centre...

There are, I'm told, 4,500 friends and relatives of the Barcelona players and directors here tonight. Arsenal took only 500 tickets for their staff. It seems to be the Spanish fans who are making themselves hear the most so far.

It has been a good open, attacking start to the game from both sides; just as everyone hoped and expected from these two wonderful footballing sides.

Deco sprays a wonderful pass out to the right to Giuly; the Frenchman controls brilliantly but can't get his cross in to the middle.

EASY SAVE! Giuly fires in Barcelona's first real shot of the evening, but his fierce right-footed effort from a tight angle is easily saved by Lehmann.

Barcelona are showing signs that they are settling in to this game, although they do still look a bit unbalanced with Eto'o out on the left and Ronaldinho through the middle.

Eto'o sends over a superb cross from the left touchline; it finds its way through to Ronaldinho, but Arsenal manage to scramble the ball clear before he can get a shot away.

Arsenal are breaking forward with real pace and in good numbers once they manage to steal the ball from the Spanish giants.

Gilberto gives the ball away in a congested midfield, but Arsenal work hard to win it back.

Arsène Wenger has only used two English players so far in this season's Champions League - Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole - but they both start tonight.

Arsenal have made a good start here; they are knocking the ball about with pace and confidence and Barcelona look a little rattled.

ANOTHER GOOD SAVE! Henry fires in a shot from outside the area, but Valdes is alert at his near post to palm clear.

...SAVE! Henry spins past his man and closes in on goal, but Valdes spreads himself and makes a brave save. Corner kick.

Edmilson loses the ball in midfield, and Arsenal press forward; Eboue plays the ball in to the feet of Henry in the area...

Arsenal win the first free-kick of the evening, and the Gunners take the chance to knock the ball about the back to try and settle themselves down.

Eto'o seems to have started out on the left, with Ronaldinho, at present, the furthest man forward through the middle.

Terge Hauge is the referee for tonight's showpiece match. The 40-year-old from Bergen becomes the first Norwegian to take charge of a Champions League final.

Barcelona kick off, to an enormous roar from the crowd.

We really are set up for a dream final; the colour and sense of anticipation and tension and noise inside this wonderful stadium is staggering.

The players are gathering inside the tunnel, ready to come out on to the pitch. There are plenty of cordial handshakes and pats on backs between the two teams; a really good spirit.

Fireworks explode inside the centre-circle as the Champions League anthem belts out over the PA system.

A rather elaborate opening ceremony is going on down on the pitch. A man who looks suspiciously like 'Wolf' from Gladiators is being hoisted in to the air on a giant trapeze. It's all a little ridiculous, in truth.

There is a fantastic atmosphere inside the ground here at the Stade de France; there are plenty of presentations going on down on the pitch as part of this competition's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Argentine starlet Lionel Messi has failed a fitness test for Barcelona, and doesn't even get a place on the bench.

The teams are in: as expected, Ashley Cole comes back in to Arsenal's line-up, replacing the stand-in Flamini at left-back.

The Barcelona players are out on the pitch going through their warm-ups. It is a dry, cloudy, evening in northern France, and the pitch looks in perfect condition.

Hi. Welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of the Champions League final, from the Stade de France in Paris. My name is Alex, and I'll be your guide to all the action this evening.

Henry looks absolutely shattered; he has run himself in to the ground on his own up front.

ARSENAL SUB: Flamini replaces Fabregas; the Arsenal players are starting to look very tired, and Wenger opts for some fresh legs in midfield.

More intelligent hold-up play from Henry wins his side a valuable, time-wasteing corner.

GETTING CLOSER! Ronaldinho bursts in to the area, but Cole manages to put the Brazilian under enough pressure to force him to slide his shot wide of the near post from a tight angle.

BARCELONA SUB: Oleguer off, Belletti on. Rijkaard's final throw of the dice as he desperately searches for this equaliser.

WELL WIDE! Fabregas finds himself in space through the middle; he has no support so attempts an ambitious shot from distance, but his right-foot shot is dragged well wide.

Ronaldinho fires in a shot that flies narrowly wide of the post; he hasn't had a good night tonight.

GREAT CHANCE! Henry breaks through the middle, but his side-foot shot is weak and Valdes makes a comfortable save.

Oleguer is booked for a slide challenge on Ljungberg; perhaps a harsh decision, but the right-back has got away with a few so far tonight.

The ball is worked out to the right wing once more, but Iniesta's cross is too deep and runs out for a throw. Arsenal do need to be careful defending down their flanks.

SAVE! Ljungberg robs the ball from Oleguer, breaks in to the area and fires in a shot from a tight angle, but Valdes tips his effort over the bar for a corner.

Henry goes on an individual break, making Marquez look foolish with a brilliant flick, though he slightly over-runs the ball and Valdes collects inside his six-yard box.

Iniesta tries a give-and-go on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, but Toure makes another important interception.

There is a growing sense that Barcelona are starting to get a little impatient and frustrated as the game wears on.

There is still a long, long way to go, but Arsenal look really well organised and determined at the back. If they can just keep their discipline and concentration...

GOOD BREAK! Arsenal break at pace; Fabregas feeds Henry, who works it wide to Hleb down the right channel. The Belorussian cuts on to his left foot, but his shot is dragged a yard wide of the near post.

WOEFUL! Ronaldinho tries to fire in a first-time effort as the ball is fed from the left, but he gets it horribly wrong and his shot flies twenty yards wide. World's Best Player? No chance.

BARCELONA SUB: Van Bommel is replaced by Larsson; another attacking change from Rijkaard, bringing on the prolific Swedish striker.

Henry just can't turn Puyol inside the penalty area, though Arsenal do win a corner when the Spanish centre-back sees the ball out of play.

Almunia comes a long way to take Van Bronkhorst's cross from the left; a good effort, because the ball is getting greasy as the rain starts to fall in Paris.

A cynical foul from Oleguer halts Ljungberg in his tracks down the Arsenal left; the Gunners' bench are unhappy at the lack of a booking for the challenge.

GOOD BLOCK! Ronaldinho drifts past Eboue down the left and cuts in to the penalty area; he tries to cut the ball back for Giuly, but Almunia reads his intentions and blocks the cross.

POOR EFFORT! Ronaldinho's shot hits the wall, a dreadful effort as the referee had managed to get the Arsenal men at least 14 yards back from the ball. Another let-off for the Gunners.

...Ronaldinho measures up his shot as Almunia lines up his wall...

Ronaldinho is brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Eboue; free-kick to Barcelona, in a very favourable spot...

Ironic cheers from the Arsenal fans as a free-kick decision goes their way - it has to be said, the referee has had a poor game so far this evening.

Deco's pass out to the right just has a little too much on it as he tries to spread the play and find Oleguer, in some space on the right flank.

GOOD SAVE! Almunia is down very quickly to save Iniesta's low shot from the edge of the area. The Arsenal keeper is going to have to be at his very best for the rest of this half.

Henry is very harshly booked for a challenge on Van Bommel; that was a ridiculous decision from the referee - if anything, it was the Arsenal captain who was fouled, not the other way around.

Arsenal will be taking every opportunity to slow the play down and relieve the pressure; Almunia is already taking his time over goal-kicks.

Barcelona are finding a lot of space down the right-hand side early in this second half - they need to be careful not to defend too narrow and neglect the flanks.

GOOD HANDLING! Almunia manages to keep hold of Deco's low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Campbell makes an importance clearance from Oleguer's low cross from the right.

Only four clubs have completed the full set of all three European trophies: Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus; if Arsenal hold on, they will become the fifth club to accomplish the feat.

Iniesta plays a good ball down the right channel for Van Bommel, but his first-time cross is over-hit and drifts out for a goal-kick.

Arsenal have to use the ball better in this second half, if they are to avoid spending its entireity camped in their own penalty area.

Arsenal have now gone an incredible 16 HOURS without conceding a goal in this competition - 45 minutes more and they will enjoy the greatest night in their history.

Arsenal kick off the second half, here in Paris. Can they hold on to that precious lead and win their first Champions League, or will Barcelona make their numerical advantage tell? Who knows - but it's going to be fun finding out...

BARCELONA SUB: Iniesta replaces Edmilson; an offensive change from Rijkaard, who replaces the defensively-minded Edmilson with the creative youngster Iniesta.

HALF-TIME: A half of amazing drama; Arsenal are down to ten and are being completely out-played, but Campbell's header means they go in a goal to the good.

Replays are showing that Almunia managed to get a fingertip on Eto'o's shot, turning it on to the post - a wonderful save from the Spaniard.

That was a massive slice of luck for Arsenal; Eto'o was faced only with Almunia, but somehow managed to find the woodwork with his shot.

OFF THE POST! Eto'o spins brilliantly inside the penalty area, but his right-foot shot crashes back off the post and away to safety.

Barcelona are dominating possession, but Arsenal are looking compact, determined and organised at the back.

There will be four additional minutes at the end of the first half - mostly due to the time it took for Lehmann to leave the field and for Arsenal to get their substitute keeper on.

Toure is having a massive game at the back for Arsenal; he is flying in to tackles with absolutely no fear whatsoever - and mostly winning them.

Arsenal manage to break when Toure intercepts a pass on the edge of his penalty area; Hleb and Henry break alone, and Arsenal win a free-kick when Puyol fouls the Gunners' French skipper.

RUBBISH! Oleguer finds the ball at his feet on the right-corner of the Arsenal box, but his cross-shot flies high over the crossbar, to the delight of the Arsenal fans.

Cole slides in with a very strong, well-timed tackle on Van Bommel, who didn't like it. He has a word with Cole as they get to their feet, but is given short-change in reply by the England full-back.

Eboue is back on the pitch after a minute of treatment on the sideline. The Arsenal fans are flying now - they can't believe their side have taken the lead.

Eboue is down holding his left knee; the Arsenal physio sprints on to give him some treatment.

If Arsenal can get to half-time with the lead, they will take real heart from it in the second period.

We have got a game on now! Arsenal, down to ten men, have snatched a highly unlikely lead! It was a great header from the England man, and Valdes had no chance.

GOAL! Incredible! Henry clips the free-kick in to the six-yard box, and Campbell powers home a header!

Eboue brilliantly gets away down the right; he goes down under a soft challenge from Puyol, when it might have been better for him to keep going and head towards goal. As it is, the referee gives Arsenal a free-kick, on the right-edge of the area...

Arsenal are under so much pressure at the moment; on the very rare occasions that they do manage to get the ball back, they don't have any outlets - Henry is so isolated on his own up-front.

EXCELLENT DEFENDING! Ronaldinho slides an inch-perfect pass in to the path of Eto'o, but Toure makes a great challenge inside the area to get the ball back to Almunia.

Almunia comes a long way out of his goal to intercept Deco's through-ball, looking for the run of Giuly. Good awareness from the Arsenal substitute goalkeeper.

The referee's decision to disallow Barcelona's goal earlier means that Arsenal's record sequence of minutes without letting in a Champions League goal continues - it was 919 minutes before the match began.

Eto'o tries a neat turn on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, but Eboue and Toure combine to rob him and clear.

It is very cat-and-mouse at the moment; Barcelona are having most of the possession, and Arsenal are getting all nine of their outfield players behind the ball to try and cut down the space.

Ronaldinho goes down under Henry's challenge, out on the right wing; the referee, who isn't endearing himself to the Arsenal players or supporters, awards Barcelona another free-kick.

WHAT A CHALLENGE! Giuly makes another good run inside the full-back as he tries to get on the end of Ronaldinho's pass, but Cole makes a well-timed challenge inside his penalty area to slide the ball out for a corner.

Edmilson is down, holding his back after a heavy fall following a challenge for a header; the physio is on the pitch, attempting to work some magic with his healing hands.

Puyol sends a long ball over the top for Eto'o to chase, but his pass is too strong and Toure allows it to run out of play.

We have got a different kind of game on our hands now; what started out as an open, attacking, fast-paced game is now going to turn in to more of a tactical battle.

Arsenal have changed to a 4-4-1 formation following Lehmann's dismissal, with Henry still up front on his own. They are going to have to rely even more on the counter-attack if they are to triumph tonight.

Eboue is booked for a late challenge on Van Bronkhorst; it was a definite booking, but the referee does seem to be losing control of this game following that controversial decision a few minutes ago.

Lehmann's was the first red card in a Champions League final - and it has left Arsenal with a mountain to climb.

WIDE! Ronaldinho goes for the far corner, but he gets too much bend on the ball and Ashley Cole - stood on the goalline - allows it to drift wide of the far post.

Almunia lines up his wall as Ronaldinho stands over the ball...

Arsenal now have to play the rest of the game with 10 men - and they still have the danger of a Ronaldinho free-kick, right on the edge of the area...

ARSENAL SUB: Pires off, Almunia on. Pires is sacrificed as Wenger brings on his reserve goalkeeper.

Barcelona would have preferred the referee to allowed advantage and for the goal have stood, but the referee has ruled to stop the play and show the red card to Lehmann.

LEHMANN OFF! The referee sends off the Arsenal goalkeeper, rules out the goal, and awards Barcelona a free-kick on the edge of the area.

CONTROVERSY! Eto'o breaks through the middle, but is brought down by Lehmann; Giuly tucks the ball home, but the referee has already blown...

NOT THERE, SON! Pires tries to dribble the ball clear out of danger, but only gives the ball to Deco; fortunately for Arsenal, his shot from the edge of the area is straight at Lehmann.

Deco spreads another superb pass out to the right for Giuly, who again brings the ball under control in an instant; those two have started the game very brightly.

Deco spots the run of Giuly, who had cut in from the right wing, but Toure had tracked the run and heads clear on the edge of his penalty area.

A clumsy foul from Oleguer gives Arsenal a free-kick, out on the left touchline. The ball is delivered in to the penalty area, but the referee rules that Campbell had fouled Valdes as they jumped.

OOOH! The great Brazilian fires in a right-footed shot, but his effort flies a yard or so wide of Lehmann's far post. The big German didn't look too concerned.

Ronaldinho stands over the set-piece, looking menacing...

A clumsy challenge on Edmilson from Toure gifts Barcelona a free-kick, 30 yards out, dead centre...

There are, I'm told, 4,500 friends and relatives of the Barcelona players and directors here tonight. Arsenal took only 500 tickets for their staff. It seems to be the Spanish fans who are making themselves hear the most so far.

It has been a good open, attacking start to the game from both sides; just as everyone hoped and expected from these two wonderful footballing sides.

Deco sprays a wonderful pass out to the right to Giuly; the Frenchman controls brilliantly but can't get his cross in to the middle.

EASY SAVE! Giuly fires in Barcelona's first real shot of the evening, but his fierce right-footed effort from a tight angle is easily saved by Lehmann.

Barcelona are showing signs that they are settling in to this game, although they do still look a bit unbalanced with Eto'o out on the left and Ronaldinho through the middle.

Eto'o sends over a superb cross from the left touchline; it finds its way through to Ronaldinho, but Arsenal manage to scramble the ball clear before he can get a shot away.

Arsenal are breaking forward with real pace and in good numbers once they manage to steal the ball from the Spanish giants.

Gilberto gives the ball away in a congested midfield, but Arsenal work hard to win it back.

Arsène Wenger has only used two English players so far in this season's Champions League - Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole - but they both start tonight.

Arsenal have made a good start here; they are knocking the ball about with pace and confidence and Barcelona look a little rattled.

ANOTHER GOOD SAVE! Henry fires in a shot from outside the area, but Valdes is alert at his near post to palm clear.

...SAVE! Henry spins past his man and closes in on goal, but Valdes spreads himself and makes a brave save. Corner kick.

Edmilson loses the ball in midfield, and Arsenal press forward; Eboue plays the ball in to the feet of Henry in the area...

Arsenal win the first free-kick of the evening, and the Gunners take the chance to knock the ball about the back to try and settle themselves down.

Eto'o seems to have started out on the left, with Ronaldinho, at present, the furthest man forward through the middle.

Terge Hauge is the referee for tonight's showpiece match. The 40-year-old from Bergen becomes the first Norwegian to take charge of a Champions League final.

Barcelona kick off, to an enormous roar from the crowd.

We really are set up for a dream final; the colour and sense of anticipation and tension and noise inside this wonderful stadium is staggering.

The players are gathering inside the tunnel, ready to come out on to the pitch. There are plenty of cordial handshakes and pats on backs between the two teams; a really good spirit.

Fireworks explode inside the centre-circle as the Champions League anthem belts out over the PA system.

A rather elaborate opening ceremony is going on down on the pitch. A man who looks suspiciously like 'Wolf' from Gladiators is being hoisted in to the air on a giant trapeze. It's all a little ridiculous, in truth.

There is a fantastic atmosphere inside the ground here at the Stade de France; there are plenty of presentations going on down on the pitch as part of this competition's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Argentine starlet Lionel Messi has failed a fitness test for Barcelona, and doesn't even get a place on the bench.

The teams are in: as expected, Ashley Cole comes back in to Arsenal's line-up, replacing the stand-in Flamini at left-back.

The Barcelona players are out on the pitch going through their warm-ups. It is a dry, cloudy, evening in northern France, and the pitch looks in perfect condition.

Hi. Welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of the Champions League final, from the Stade de France in Paris. My name is Alex, and I'll be your guide to all the action this evening.