Flash of vintage Scholes
sends United back into dreamland
Tuesday, 29 April
2008
Goals: Scholes
14.
Paul Scholes' spectacular strike sent
Manchester United into their first Champions League final for nine
years on a night of Old Trafford tension. Scholes
rifled in a spectacular 25-yard effort after 14 minutes to beat
Barcelona and set up an all-English clash with Chelsea or
Liverpool in Moscow on 21 May.
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There was added poignancy and significance in the victory,
coming 50 years after the Munich air crash. And for Scholes,
suspended for the 1999 final victory against Bayern Munich in
Barcelona, it is a chance to make up for that bitter
disappointment. United were dealt a double blow before kick-off
when Wayne Rooney's hip injury ruled him out and Nemanja Vidic was
sidelined by the concussion he sustained at Chelsea.
And United almost made a nightmare start when Scholes tripped
Lionel Messi as he raced into the area - there was only inches in
it and fortunately for the home side German referee Herbert Fandel
got the big call right and gave a free-kick. It took United time to
settle, but Scholes eased their nerves with a thunderous strike to
give them the lead in the 14th minute.
Gianluca Zambrotta's wayward clearance landed at Scholes' feet,
and he delivered a trademark rising drive from 25 yards that flew
high into the net beyond the outstretched hands of Barcelona keeper
Victor Valdes. It was only the second goal Scholes has scored this
season - but it was a fitting strike to send United to the
final.
Messi was the real danger man for Barcelona, and he ended a
slalom run with a left-foot shot that was turned away by United
keeper Edwin van der Sar. United had chances of their own, with
Ji-Sung Park side-footing just wide, but Barcelona regained their
composure to enjoy a period of superiority, with Deco twice
narrowly off target.
Nani, preferred to Ryan Giggs, wasted a chance to grab the
priceless second goal three minutes before the interval when he
glanced Park's cross wide from eight yards. Barcelona began the
second half with a spell of possession, but it was United who
carved out a clear opportunity as Valdes blocked Tevez's
close-range drive after 56 minutes.
The Catalans made a change on the hour, sending on former
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for Andres Iniesta. Barcelona,
inspired by the brilliant Messi, had United penned back, but they
were resisted by defensive discipline and resilience of the highest
class from a side normally noted for their attacking verve.
United attempted to stem the tide with 13 minutes left by making
a double change, with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher replacing Nani
and Scholes. Henry almost returned to haunt United with a
point-blank header from from Xavi's corner which was gratefully
clutched by Van der Sar.
Barcelona weaved pretty patterns in the closing stages, but
United's defence - superbly marshalled by Rio Ferdinand and Wes
Brown - stood firm to spark wild scenes of celebration at the final
whistle.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Ferdinand,
Brown, Evra (Silvestre 90), Park, Scholes (Fletcher 76), Carrick,
Nani (Giggs 76), Ronaldo, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Anderson, O'Shea, Welbeck.
Booked: Carrick, Ronaldo.
Goals: Scholes 14.
Barcelona: Valdes, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito,
Abidal, Toure Yaya (Gudjohnsen 88), Messi, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta
(Henry 60), Eto'o (Bojan 72).
Subs Not Used: Pinto, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Thuram.
Booked: Zambrotta, Deco, Toure Yaya.
Att: 75,061
Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).
