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08 Dec 2025
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08 Dec 2025
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Barcelona won the Champions League for a fourth time with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Wembley on this day in 2011.
Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa helped coach Pep Guardiola to his second European title in three years in a game which was largely remembered for an unstoppable Messi performance.
It was also the second time that Barca had beaten United in the final after a 2-0 win in Rome two years before.
Barcelona had breached the United defence on several occasions during the first half but went into the break surprisingly on level terms after Pedro’s 27th-minute opener was cancelled out by a Wayne Rooney side-footed equaliser just seven minutes later.
The Spanish side’s dominance started to show and their quality could not be stopped for much longer after Messi’s dazzling performance was rewarded with a goal in the 54th minute.
Villa netted Barca’s third 21 minutes from time to rubber stamp the victory and ensure the trophy went back on the plane to Spain.
After the game, Guardiola dubbed Messi as “probably the best ever” following his scintillating performance while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted: “In my time as manager, it’s the best team I’ve faced.”
Limerick man and Dancing with the Stars 2026 contestant Paudie Moloney
Sinead McDonnell, biodiversity officer Limerick City and County Council with Dolie Whelan, Knockea, Fr Micheal Wall and Catherine Kelly, Limerick Diocesan Centre | Picture: Keith Wiseman
Attendees pictured at the Social Service Systems in Practice Ireland and the Netherlands Stakeholders Event
The Abbey Regatta in 1977, another photo, which features in Volume 25 of Limerick: A Stroll Down Memory Lane, by Sean Curtin
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