Barcelona's Ronaldinho of Brazil (left) celebrates with teammates after winning the Champions League final against Arsenal at the Stade de France in Saint Denis yesterday. Barcelona won 2-1. - REUTERS
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP):
SAMUEL ETO'O and Juliano Belletti scored two goals in six minutes yesterday to help FC Barcelona beat 10-man Arsenal 2-1 to win the Champions League.
Eto'o equalised for Barcelona in the 76th minute, and Belletti scored the winner in the 81st to give Barcelona their second European Cup title. The Spanish champions also won the trophy in 1992.
The English team played with 10 men from the 18th minute, when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off for bringing down Eto'o just outside the Arsenal area.
Still, Arsenal took a 1-0 halftime lead after Sol Campbell headed in Thierry Henry's free kick in the 37th minute.
DISAPPOINTING HOMECOMING
Arsenal, who had gone a Champions League record 10 games without conceding a goal, were making their first appearance in the final. The loss meant a disappointing homecoming for coach Arsene Wenger and striker Thierry Henry, who was furious with Norwegian referee Terje Hauge.
"I don't know if the ref had a Barcelona shirt on or something," Henry said. "If they don't want us to win it, just say it right from the start.
"I don't think he cost us the final, because we were 1-nil up," Henry added. "I always expect the ref to do his job. I don't think he did."
Henry nearly scored twice in the first three minutes.
The France striker collected a cross from Emmanuel Eboue and beat Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez. Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes blocked Henry's shot with his legs and, a minute later, fisted away Henry's 20-metre shot at the foot of the post.
Barcelona thought they had taken the lead in the 18th minute when Ronaldinho fed Eto'o, but Lehmann brought the Cameroon striker down on the edge of the area. The ball rolled to Ludovic Giuly, who shot it into an empty net, but Hauge had already blown his whistle for a foul.
The referee sent Lehmann off and reserve goalkeeper Manuel Almunia then replaced midfielder Robert Pires. Ronal-dinho kicked the ensuing free kick wide.
Line-ups: Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Oleguer Presas (Juliano Belletti, 71), Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Edmilson (Andres Iniesta, 46), Mark van Bommel (Henrik Larsson, 61), Deco, Ludovic Giuly, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho.
Arsenal: Jens Lehmann, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Fredrik Ljungberg, Alexander Hleb (Jose Antonio Reyes, 85), Gilberto Silva, Cesc Fabregas (Mathieu Flamini, 74), Robert Pires (Manuel Almunia, 20), Thierry Henry.
