Barcelona against Manchester United

Iniesta attempts to chip Van der Sar from distance but the keeper reads it well and plucks the ball out of the air.

United are still trying to get that goal but they are forced to go back to the keeper time and time again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Puyol comes on to a big cheer from the Barca fans.

Rooney wins the ball from Pique but the ref blows for a soft foul. However, the ref has had a very good game in general.

Busquets is down injured and the game is stopped. He collided with Valencia.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Barca make a change. Villa goes off and on comes Keita.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Valdes is booked for time wasting.

Nani cuts inside from the right flank and beats Abidal. The winger shoots from the edge of the box but his shot goes wide.

Hernandez races onto a bouncing ball, but his first touch loops the ball in the air and allows Valdes to rush off his line to punch clear.

Vidic pokes the ball away from Messi but the ref deems his foot to be too high and it is a freekick to Barca.

United have finally discovered how to pass the ball in this second-half but their raid own the left flank comes to nothing.

Messi and Xavi take their time over a freekick. Barca are clearly in no rush. 3-1 up with only ten minutes to go.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Valencia finally gets booked for barging over Messi.

Giggs stops to claim for a penalty when he still has the ball. Unbelievable.

Valdes takes his time over a goalkick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> United make another change and Scholes comes on for Carrick.

United are hoofing it forwards to the strikers but there in no support when the ball drops.

Rooney is trying to carry the fight on his own but he needs support. Unfortunately when he loses the ball Barca have it for the next five minutes.

Rooney takes on the Barca defence but he loses the ball and goes down on the edge of the box. No foul.

It's all or nothing now for United and Barca could rip them apart on the counter-attack.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>That is it. United have no answer to a masterclass. A wonderful goal, and the rest should register as a lap of honour for a truly great Barca.</i>

Messi drives into the box to cause confusion, Busquest rolls the ball to Villa, who shifts the ball out of his feet and curls a shot just inside the post. Great goal!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Villa curls one in from the edge of the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> United make their first, much needed, change. Fabio goes off and Nani comes on.

Valencia ponders on the ball and four Barca players queue up to take it off him.

Pedro and Messi work the ball in the box and than pass it back to Iniesta, who shoots from 30-yards and forces Van der Sar to make yet another save.

Xavi shifts the ball to his right foot and lashes in a shot that Van der Sar does well to turn past the post.

Alves leaves Evra for dead and slides the ball back across the goal. Somehow Fabio recovers to clear the danger.

Alex Fergsuon is chewing furiously on the touchline.

Messi takes possession on the edge of the box, goes past Ferdinand and forces Van der Sar to save with his fet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/lionelmessiceleb220110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Messi celebrates scoring Barca's second goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Carrick is booked for taking down Iniesta. He went for the ball but was very late and deserved the card.

Giggs is easily brushed off the ball by Alves with United threatening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alves takes out Evra and gets booked. The first yellow card of the night.

Iniesta falls over and wins a foul from Valencia. It never was.

Valencia wins a header in the box but the whistle has gone for a foul somewhere.

Valencia takes down Messi and is lucky to escape without being booked.

Carrick tries to force a pass and United lose valuable possession.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>The magic of Messi. The folly of Van Der Sar. United sat too far back off him and the end result was inevitable. United cannot afford such moments, and they have paid a heavy cost.</i>

Messi skips inside Evra and shoots from 20-yards out. His effort curls away from Van der Sar and into the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Messi scores from distance!

Rooney and Park get a little too intricate and forget to take the ball with them.

Alves races down the left and leaves Giggs for dead. Van der Sar makes a great save at his near post.

Giggs has been shunted out to the left and Park is now in centre midfield for United

Hernadez gives Alves a little shove in the back to win the ball but the ref spots it and gives a freekick.

Iniesta overhits a pass. Thought it was worth a mention.

Rooney out-muscles Pique but his cross hits the defender and then hits himself before going behind for a goalkick.

Pique waits at the back post for a cross. The ball comes in form Xavi and Vidic makes a brilliant back header to deny the Barca centre-back.

It's taken short but a shot from Xavi is deflected behind for another corner.

Mascherano drives all the way down the pitch from centre-back and wins a corner for Barcelona.

Barca get the second half underway. No changes to either side.

<b>HT</b> United are out on the pitch, no sign of Barca yet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/waynerooneyceleb220110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Wayne Rooney celebrates his equaliser.

<b>HT stat attack:</b> This is one to redress the balance for United fans. The last time Barcelona opened the scoring in London, they went on to lose - against Arsenal in February.

<b>HT stat attack:</b> Xavi made 79 passes in the first half, 58 more than any Manchester United player.

<b>HT</b> Right then, all you lucky people out there have a chance to <a href="http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/competitions-listings/win-a-signed-lionel-messi-shirt/">win a signed Lionel Messi shirt</a> if you can answer a simple, make that very simple, question.

<b>HT</b> The United midfield is clearly being overrun but what can Fergie do about it? Rooney is already sitting on Busquets so it should be two on two - but because of Barca's movement it isn't.

<b>HT</b> ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>To get to half-time level is a victory in itself for United. Barca have dominated possession and chances, but the important stat is 1-1.</i>

<b>HT</b> Well, Barcelona clearly having the better of the half and when they scored it looked very bleak for United. But the Red Devils fought to score a brilliant goal and it is 1-1 at the break.

That is the final action before the break as the ref blows for half-time.

Van der Sar kicks the ball down the pitch but it goes out for Barca throw.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Wonderfully creative from Barcelona though it reminded of a Brolin move from Sweden's team of the 90s. Perhaps the only Thomas Brolin mention of this match there.</i>

Messi and Villa combine against a back-tracking United defence. Villa has space to shoot but passes across the goal for Messi and the chance is missed... just.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/waynerooneygoal20110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Wayne Rooney shoots to score for United

...It's played short to Busquests, who clips a pass just ahead of Pedro. Great idea and just an inch off being executed perfectly.

Valencia takes out Messi with a late tackle. No yellow card but Barca have a freekick about 30-yards out...

Messi and Xavi are crowded out by the United defence but Barca just go backwards and build another attack.

Giggs chips the ball down the line for Park to chase. He does, but it runs out for a goalkick.

Rooney seems to be man-marking Busquets when Barca have the ball, but he just let the midfielder go then. A lack of concentration.

Vidic makes a good tackle on Villa in the box. It probably won't be the last.

Barca are back on the ball but United are snapping into tackles with renewed vigour. Xavi chips a shot from the edge of the box but it goes over the bar.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Wow, just wow. Rooney's goal has United fans believing again. To say it went against the run of play is a clear understatement, and the look on Sir Alex's face showed his disbelief.</i>

Well United really needed that shot in the arm. It looked bleak but now it's game on.

Rooney passes out to Giggs on the right, who dinks the ball back to Rooney just inside the box. The United striker finishes calmly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney curls a shot past Valdes!

Valencia blocks a forward pass from Abidal and that is about as good as it has got for United...

...Rooney hits the ball to the far side of the box where one white shirt is surrrounded by four Barca players.

Alves fouls Evra and United have a chance to get the ball into the box...

Barca are back on the ball and United really need to get a foothold in this match. The midfield is simply being overrun.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>It was coming, and now it has arrived. United could not live with Barcelona for that long, and Xavi's pass to Pedro has defeat already looking most likely.</i>

Xavi gets in behind Carrick and slides a great pass to Pedro on the right of the box, who slots the ball home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Pedro scores!

Giggs races through the centre of midfield and chips a pass the back post for Hernandez, but Pique gets there first.

Hernandez has the ball on the edged of the box. He attempts to squeeze a pass through the legs of Mascherano but it comes to nothing.

United a pressed in possession and Barca win it back. Messi drives into the box and this time it's Ferdinand who makes a brilliant tackle.

Park gets into the Barca box but Pique is quick to close down the forward. Good defending.

Vidic proves why he is one of the best defenders in the world with a goal-saving tackle on Messi.

Barca are facing no resistance up until they reach the back four. Villa shoots from the edge of the box and Van der Sar makes another save.

Barca build patiently. Villa finds himself in space about 20-yards out and shoots. Vander sar scampers across his goal but the shot goes wide.

Park wins the possession but can only hoof the ball down the pitch to nobody.

Messi dances through about five players and then plays a pass into the box for Villa. Vidic covers well and makes a crunching tackle.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Barca have settled, and that spells danger for United. Pedro's miss the first of many chances? It would seem likely.</i>

Carrick gets a foot to the ball to make a tackle but there is no United player nearby to pick up the scraps.

Xavi works some space on the right and crosses for Pedro, who nips in at the near post but puts his shot wide. The best chance of the match so far.

United are having to do plenty of chasing now that Barca have settled. No real threat from the Spaniards yet though.

Possession football from Barca now.

A poor touch by Messi gives the ball away but Vidic simply hoofs the ball clear and Barca a back on the attack.

Barca have possession now and are trying to keep United penned in their own half.

Messi finds Villa on the left and Ferdinand has to cover and make a great tackle. Signs that Barca are coming to life.

Pique panics a little and plays a back pass to Valdes, who is stood about two-yards away. The keeper hoofs the ball clear.

Reports coming in that omitted striker Berbatov has left Wembley.

Rooney races onto a goalkick from Van Der Sar. He has Mascherano beaten but Valdes rushes off his line to make a flying clearence.

Carrick stabs the ball over the defence for Hernandez, who is through on goal... but the flag is up for offside.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>United are pressing, pressing, pressing. Can they keep this up for 90 minutes? The atmosphere is incredible. Every tackle roared as if it were a goal.</i>

Barca threaten to break but Park races in from nowhere to make a vital tackle on Messi.

Rooney wins a header and sets Hernandez running free. A poor pass from the forward causes the attack to stall.

Park breaks up another Barca move. That is what he is in the side for.

United bossing possession early on... until Fabio gives it away with a punt down the left flank.

Sloppy start for Barcelona. And whoever had Busquets to clutch his face on two minutes is the winner of the sweepstake... although he did get a ball in the face this time.

Park is all over Alves early on and wins the ball. Rooney crosses, but it's a poor one and Valdes claims the ball.

Manchester United get the game underway, kicking from right to left.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>The teams are here. And now United's fans pick up. This is the hour, this is the day, this is this....</i>

Here we go then. Let's hope it lives up to the hype...

the players are out on the pitch and a few look nervous as 90,000 fans make themselves heard at Wembley.

In Puyol's abscence, Xavi will skipper Barcelona. Not a bad replacement is it?

The players are assembling in the tunnel. United are wearing their away strip of white shirts and black shorts. Barca, as the home team, are in their normal strip.

More importantly, reports are emerging that Carles Puyol didn't complete training yesterday. He must also be a risk to come on from the bench then.

Just to make sure everybody knows the final is in England there are about 50 people dancing around wearing bowler hats on the pitch.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>TWe are almost underway, and Manchester United have the chance to make it four. But then again, so do Barcelona. Er, Charlie Chaplin is on the pitch - yes, really.</i>

Park and Hernandez have both been picked out as key performers for United tonight, but no AFC or CONCACAF player has ever scored in a Champions League final.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/ucltrophy20110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>This is what it is all about

It will be a fifth UCL final for Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der sar, who will retire after this match. He has won two and lost two... is the script written?

The players have been out on the pitch for their warm ups and the fans have found their voices. So now it's back inside to prepare for the eagerly awaited showdown.

<b>Stat Attack</b>: Three of Barcelona's four Champions League defeats under Pep Guardiola have come when Puyol wasn't in the starting eleven.

If Fergie plays with both strikers up top, rather than with Rooney on the left like he did in Rome, then United could cause big problems for Barca.

Very interesting team news then. With Mascherano and Abidal, who has rushed back from serious surgery, in the Barca back four and no Puyol it looks vunerable.

No Carles Puyol.. he's on the bench.

Eric Abidal completes an incredible comeback for Barca, but who else is in the team? Valdes; Abidal, Mascherano, Pique, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Villa, Messi .

Subs - Kuszczak Smalling Fletcher Scholes Anderson Nani Owen - meaning no Berbatov.

Looks like Man Utd team is as expected: Van der Sar; Fabio Rio Vidic Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs Park; Rooney Hernandez.

<b><a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/924011/chat-live-with-espn-press-pass-pundits?cc=5739" target="_blank">Put your questions to Press Pass throughout the game.</a></b>

You can <a href="http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/competitions-listings/win-a-signed-lionel-messi-shirt/" target="_blank">win a signed Lionel Messi shirt with ESPN</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0526/lionelmessiucltrophy2009_275x155.jpg"><br>The world's best will be on show, including Messi.

Last time Barcelona were at Wembley <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/921041/rewind-to-when-johan-cruyff-built-his-dream-team?cc=5739" target="_blank">was in 1992 when they won their first European Cup</a>, while the last time the two teams met was in 2009 - not <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/923181/first-xi:-european-cup-classics?cc=5739" target="_blank">one of the classics</a> but a good game all the same.

Join us from 1945 BST for the 'game of the decade' between Barcelona and Manchester United in the Champions League final.

United are hoofing it forwards to the strikers but there in no support when the ball drops.

Rooney is trying to carry the fight on his own but he needs support. Unfortunately when he loses the ball Barca have it for the next five minutes.

Rooney takes on the Barca defence but he loses the ball and goes down on the edge of the box. No foul.

It's all or nothing now for United and Barca could rip them apart on the counter-attack.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>That is it. United have no answer to a masterclass. A wonderful goal, and the rest should register as a lap of honour for a truly great Barca.</i>

Messi drives into the box to cause confusion, Busquest rolls the ball to Villa, who shifts the ball out of his feet and curls a shot just inside the post. Great goal!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Villa curls one in from the edge of the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> United make their first, much needed, change. Fabio goes off and Nani comes on.

Valencia ponders on the ball and four Barca players queue up to take it off him.

Pedro and Messi work the ball in the box and than pass it back to Iniesta, who shoots from 30-yards and forces Van der Sar to make yet another save.

Xavi shifts the ball to his right foot and lashes in a shot that Van der Sar does well to turn past the post.

Alves leaves Evra for dead and slides the ball back across the goal. Somehow Fabio recovers to clear the danger.

Alex Fergsuon is chewing furiously on the touchline.

Messi takes possession on the edge of the box, goes past Ferdinand and forces Van der Sar to save with his fet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/lionelmessiceleb220110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Messi celebrates scoring Barca's second goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Carrick is booked for taking down Iniesta. He went for the ball but was very late and deserved the card.

Giggs is easily brushed off the ball by Alves with United threatening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Alves takes out Evra and gets booked. The first yellow card of the night.

Iniesta falls over and wins a foul from Valencia. It never was.

Valencia wins a header in the box but the whistle has gone for a foul somewhere.

Valencia takes down Messi and is lucky to escape without being booked.

Carrick tries to force a pass and United lose valuable possession.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>The magic of Messi. The folly of Van Der Sar. United sat too far back off him and the end result was inevitable. United cannot afford such moments, and they have paid a heavy cost.</i>

Messi skips inside Evra and shoots from 20-yards out. His effort curls away from Van der Sar and into the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Messi scores from distance!

Rooney and Park get a little too intricate and forget to take the ball with them.

Alves races down the left and leaves Giggs for dead. Van der Sar makes a great save at his near post.

Giggs has been shunted out to the left and Park is now in centre midfield for United

Hernadez gives Alves a little shove in the back to win the ball but the ref spots it and gives a freekick.

Iniesta overhits a pass. Thought it was worth a mention.

Rooney out-muscles Pique but his cross hits the defender and then hits himself before going behind for a goalkick.

Pique waits at the back post for a cross. The ball comes in form Xavi and Vidic makes a brilliant back header to deny the Barca centre-back.

It's taken short but a shot from Xavi is deflected behind for another corner.

Mascherano drives all the way down the pitch from centre-back and wins a corner for Barcelona.

Barca get the second half underway. No changes to either side.

<b>HT</b> United are out on the pitch, no sign of Barca yet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/waynerooneyceleb220110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Wayne Rooney celebrates his equaliser.

<b>HT stat attack:</b> This is one to redress the balance for United fans. The last time Barcelona opened the scoring in London, they went on to lose - against Arsenal in February.

<b>HT stat attack:</b> Xavi made 79 passes in the first half, 58 more than any Manchester United player.

<b>HT</b> Right then, all you lucky people out there have a chance to <a href="http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/competitions-listings/win-a-signed-lionel-messi-shirt/">win a signed Lionel Messi shirt</a> if you can answer a simple, make that very simple, question.

<b>HT</b> The United midfield is clearly being overrun but what can Fergie do about it? Rooney is already sitting on Busquets so it should be two on two - but because of Barca's movement it isn't.

<b>HT</b> ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>To get to half-time level is a victory in itself for United. Barca have dominated possession and chances, but the important stat is 1-1.</i>

<b>HT</b> Well, Barcelona clearly having the better of the half and when they scored it looked very bleak for United. But the Red Devils fought to score a brilliant goal and it is 1-1 at the break.

That is the final action before the break as the ref blows for half-time.

Van der Sar kicks the ball down the pitch but it goes out for Barca throw.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Wonderfully creative from Barcelona though it reminded of a Brolin move from Sweden's team of the 90s. Perhaps the only Thomas Brolin mention of this match there.</i>

Messi and Villa combine against a back-tracking United defence. Villa has space to shoot but passes across the goal for Messi and the chance is missed... just.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/waynerooneygoal20110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>Wayne Rooney shoots to score for United

...It's played short to Busquests, who clips a pass just ahead of Pedro. Great idea and just an inch off being executed perfectly.

Valencia takes out Messi with a late tackle. No yellow card but Barca have a freekick about 30-yards out...

Messi and Xavi are crowded out by the United defence but Barca just go backwards and build another attack.

Giggs chips the ball down the line for Park to chase. He does, but it runs out for a goalkick.

Rooney seems to be man-marking Busquets when Barca have the ball, but he just let the midfielder go then. A lack of concentration.

Vidic makes a good tackle on Villa in the box. It probably won't be the last.

Barca are back on the ball but United are snapping into tackles with renewed vigour. Xavi chips a shot from the edge of the box but it goes over the bar.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Wow, just wow. Rooney's goal has United fans believing again. To say it went against the run of play is a clear understatement, and the look on Sir Alex's face showed his disbelief.</i>

Well United really needed that shot in the arm. It looked bleak but now it's game on.

Rooney passes out to Giggs on the right, who dinks the ball back to Rooney just inside the box. The United striker finishes calmly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Rooney curls a shot past Valdes!

Valencia blocks a forward pass from Abidal and that is about as good as it has got for United...

...Rooney hits the ball to the far side of the box where one white shirt is surrrounded by four Barca players.

Alves fouls Evra and United have a chance to get the ball into the box...

Barca are back on the ball and United really need to get a foothold in this match. The midfield is simply being overrun.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>It was coming, and now it has arrived. United could not live with Barcelona for that long, and Xavi's pass to Pedro has defeat already looking most likely.</i>

Xavi gets in behind Carrick and slides a great pass to Pedro on the right of the box, who slots the ball home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Pedro scores!

Giggs races through the centre of midfield and chips a pass the back post for Hernandez, but Pique gets there first.

Hernandez has the ball on the edged of the box. He attempts to squeeze a pass through the legs of Mascherano but it comes to nothing.

United a pressed in possession and Barca win it back. Messi drives into the box and this time it's Ferdinand who makes a brilliant tackle.

Park gets into the Barca box but Pique is quick to close down the forward. Good defending.

Vidic proves why he is one of the best defenders in the world with a goal-saving tackle on Messi.

Barca are facing no resistance up until they reach the back four. Villa shoots from the edge of the box and Van der Sar makes another save.

Barca build patiently. Villa finds himself in space about 20-yards out and shoots. Vander sar scampers across his goal but the shot goes wide.

Park wins the possession but can only hoof the ball down the pitch to nobody.

Messi dances through about five players and then plays a pass into the box for Villa. Vidic covers well and makes a crunching tackle.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>Barca have settled, and that spells danger for United. Pedro's miss the first of many chances? It would seem likely.</i>

Carrick gets a foot to the ball to make a tackle but there is no United player nearby to pick up the scraps.

Xavi works some space on the right and crosses for Pedro, who nips in at the near post but puts his shot wide. The best chance of the match so far.

United are having to do plenty of chasing now that Barca have settled. No real threat from the Spaniards yet though.

Possession football from Barca now.

A poor touch by Messi gives the ball away but Vidic simply hoofs the ball clear and Barca a back on the attack.

Barca have possession now and are trying to keep United penned in their own half.

Messi finds Villa on the left and Ferdinand has to cover and make a great tackle. Signs that Barca are coming to life.

Pique panics a little and plays a back pass to Valdes, who is stood about two-yards away. The keeper hoofs the ball clear.

Reports coming in that omitted striker Berbatov has left Wembley.

Rooney races onto a goalkick from Van Der Sar. He has Mascherano beaten but Valdes rushes off his line to make a flying clearence.

Carrick stabs the ball over the defence for Hernandez, who is through on goal... but the flag is up for offside.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>United are pressing, pressing, pressing. Can they keep this up for 90 minutes? The atmosphere is incredible. Every tackle roared as if it were a goal.</i>

Barca threaten to break but Park races in from nowhere to make a vital tackle on Messi.

Rooney wins a header and sets Hernandez running free. A poor pass from the forward causes the attack to stall.

Park breaks up another Barca move. That is what he is in the side for.

United bossing possession early on... until Fabio gives it away with a punt down the left flank.

Sloppy start for Barcelona. And whoever had Busquets to clutch his face on two minutes is the winner of the sweepstake... although he did get a ball in the face this time.

Park is all over Alves early on and wins the ball. Rooney crosses, but it's a poor one and Valdes claims the ball.

Manchester United get the game underway, kicking from right to left.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>The teams are here. And now United's fans pick up. This is the hour, this is the day, this is this....</i>

Here we go then. Let's hope it lives up to the hype...

the players are out on the pitch and a few look nervous as 90,000 fans make themselves heard at Wembley.

In Puyol's abscence, Xavi will skipper Barcelona. Not a bad replacement is it?

The players are assembling in the tunnel. United are wearing their away strip of white shirts and black shorts. Barca, as the home team, are in their normal strip.

More importantly, reports are emerging that Carles Puyol didn't complete training yesterday. He must also be a risk to come on from the bench then.

Just to make sure everybody knows the final is in England there are about 50 people dancing around wearing bowler hats on the pitch.

ESPN's John Brewin at Wembley Stadium: <i>TWe are almost underway, and Manchester United have the chance to make it four. But then again, so do Barcelona. Er, Charlie Chaplin is on the pitch - yes, really.</i>

Park and Hernandez have both been picked out as key performers for United tonight, but no AFC or CONCACAF player has ever scored in a Champions League final.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0528/ucltrophy20110528_275x155.jpg"> <br>This is what it is all about

It will be a fifth UCL final for Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der sar, who will retire after this match. He has won two and lost two... is the script written?

The players have been out on the pitch for their warm ups and the fans have found their voices. So now it's back inside to prepare for the eagerly awaited showdown.

<b>Stat Attack</b>: Three of Barcelona's four Champions League defeats under Pep Guardiola have come when Puyol wasn't in the starting eleven.

If Fergie plays with both strikers up top, rather than with Rooney on the left like he did in Rome, then United could cause big problems for Barca.

Very interesting team news then. With Mascherano and Abidal, who has rushed back from serious surgery, in the Barca back four and no Puyol it looks vunerable.

No Carles Puyol.. he's on the bench.

Eric Abidal completes an incredible comeback for Barca, but who else is in the team? Valdes; Abidal, Mascherano, Pique, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Villa, Messi .

Subs - Kuszczak Smalling Fletcher Scholes Anderson Nani Owen - meaning no Berbatov.

Looks like Man Utd team is as expected: Van der Sar; Fabio Rio Vidic Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs Park; Rooney Hernandez.

<b><a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/924011/chat-live-with-espn-press-pass-pundits?cc=5739" target="_blank">Put your questions to Press Pass throughout the game.</a></b>

You can <a href="http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/competitions-listings/win-a-signed-lionel-messi-shirt/" target="_blank">win a signed Lionel Messi shirt with ESPN</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0526/lionelmessiucltrophy2009_275x155.jpg"><br>The world's best will be on show, including Messi.

Last time Barcelona were at Wembley <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/921041/rewind-to-when-johan-cruyff-built-his-dream-team?cc=5739" target="_blank">was in 1992 when they won their first European Cup</a>, while the last time the two teams met was in 2009 - not <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/923181/first-xi:-european-cup-classics?cc=5739" target="_blank">one of the classics</a> but a good game all the same.

Join us from 1945 BST for the 'game of the decade' between Barcelona and Manchester United in the Champions League final.