The Catalans deservedly went ahead almost instantly through a
fine team goal, capped by Ivan Rakitic’s composed finish, before Alvaro
Morata equalised just after the break.
Luis Suarez pounced on a mistake by Gianluigi Buffon to restore the Spanish side’s lead with a quarter of the contest remaining, before Neymar fired home in injury time to put the result beyond doubt.
Luis Enrique’s charges duly became the first side in history to win ‘the ultimate treble’ twice and gave Xavi Hernandez, who was handed a second half cameo as a substitute, a fairytale ending on his final Barcelona appearance.
The La Liga champions started the final showcasing why they
were many people’s favourites, and took just four minutes to move ahead
in typically sumptuous style.
Neymar attracted several Juventus players with some dazzling footwork, before playing a clever reverse pass to the on-running Andres Iniesta, who duly found Rakitic to steer home.
Arturo Vidal, whose early booking saw him on thin ice after several needless fouls, had the Italian side’s best opening of the first half but fired over after a swift counter attack instigated by Morata.
The Catalans, in truth, perhaps should have been further ahead before the half-hour mark, but Buffon brilliantly denied Dani Alves before Suarez fired inches wide.
Suarez then found the shot-stopper in inspired form after half time, with the 37-year-old palming away the Uruguayan’s effort after another quick break.
Ten minutes into the second half, Juventus grabbed a foothold. Stephan Lichtsteiner’s rampaging run led to an opening for Carlos Tevez, whose snapshot forced a fine low save from ter Stegen, but Morata tapped in the rebound to level proceedings.
Just as the Italian side seemed to have stemmed the tide, Barcelona restored their lead. Messi, who Juventus had kept quiet for the majority, fired in a fierce low effort which Buffon could only palm to Suarez, who slammed in his 25th of the season.
Barcelona were convinced they should have had a third almost immediately, but Neymar’s effort was disallowed after his header inadvertently flicked off his hand.
Paul Pogba spurned the Old Lady’s best chance of an equaliser, heading over from a corner after towering above the tiring Barcelona defence, before Iniesta made way for Xavi to a rapturous ovation.
With Juventus throwing caution to the wind, Barcelona sealed victory with yet another dynamic breakaway, as Neymar exchanged passes with substitute Pedro before firing home with the final kick of the game
Luis Suarez pounced on a mistake by Gianluigi Buffon to restore the Spanish side’s lead with a quarter of the contest remaining, before Neymar fired home in injury time to put the result beyond doubt.
Luis Enrique’s charges duly became the first side in history to win ‘the ultimate treble’ twice and gave Xavi Hernandez, who was handed a second half cameo as a substitute, a fairytale ending on his final Barcelona appearance.
ADVERTISING
Neymar attracted several Juventus players with some dazzling footwork, before playing a clever reverse pass to the on-running Andres Iniesta, who duly found Rakitic to steer home.
Arturo Vidal, whose early booking saw him on thin ice after several needless fouls, had the Italian side’s best opening of the first half but fired over after a swift counter attack instigated by Morata.
The Catalans, in truth, perhaps should have been further ahead before the half-hour mark, but Buffon brilliantly denied Dani Alves before Suarez fired inches wide.
Suarez then found the shot-stopper in inspired form after half time, with the 37-year-old palming away the Uruguayan’s effort after another quick break.
Ten minutes into the second half, Juventus grabbed a foothold. Stephan Lichtsteiner’s rampaging run led to an opening for Carlos Tevez, whose snapshot forced a fine low save from ter Stegen, but Morata tapped in the rebound to level proceedings.
Just as the Italian side seemed to have stemmed the tide, Barcelona restored their lead. Messi, who Juventus had kept quiet for the majority, fired in a fierce low effort which Buffon could only palm to Suarez, who slammed in his 25th of the season.
Barcelona were convinced they should have had a third almost immediately, but Neymar’s effort was disallowed after his header inadvertently flicked off his hand.
Paul Pogba spurned the Old Lady’s best chance of an equaliser, heading over from a corner after towering above the tiring Barcelona defence, before Iniesta made way for Xavi to a rapturous ovation.
With Juventus throwing caution to the wind, Barcelona sealed victory with yet another dynamic breakaway, as Neymar exchanged passes with substitute Pedro before firing home with the final kick of the game
No comments:
Post a Comment