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Michael Probst

As it happened: Barcelona v Juventus, Champions League final

Barcelona took on Juventus in the final of Europe’s biggest club competition.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@thescore.ie, tweet @the42_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

Here are the teams…

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

JUVENTUS: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Vidal, Tevez, Morata.

DUNPHY

The RTÉ lads are discussing the recent FAI-Fifa controversy.

Dunphy, in particular, is defending John Delaney and co, saying they are “victims of bad timing” and emphasising that they were unaware of the controversies that would ensue, which would ultimately tarnish Fifa, back in 2010.

We’re being treated to some spectacular scenes ahead of the game, as the opening ceremony takes place.

Opening

Here’s how the two teams are expected to play…

Juve

Barc

We’re underway…

Signs of early nerves in the Barca defence, as evidenced by one or two stray passes.

Juventus ultimately fail to capitalise though, as Tevez hits a shot well over.

Juve are playing quite high up the pitch and pressing Barca’s backline intensively in these opening stages.

GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Juve (Rakitic 4)

Barcelona strike the first blow and in many ways, it’s a classic Barca goal.

Some intricate passing opens up the Juve defence and Rakitic coolly slots the ball into the net from close range ultimately.

It’s been very open since the goal.

Morata has curled a shot from distance just over for Juve, while down the other end, Neymar has seen a similarly audacious effort go just off target.

Meanwhile, Vidal has received the game’s first booking, after clipping the ankle of Suarez.

A brilliant lofted through ball by Messi narrowly fails to find Neymar.

Shortly thereafter, Buffon makes a superb shot to deny an Alves effort from the edge of the box.

Barca are well on top at the moment.

Good counter-attack from Juventus, as they make a rare venture into the Barca half.

However, Mascherano does well to intercept Pogba’s dangerous cross.

Here’s another look at that wonderful save from Buffon.

Eitan Benezra / Vine

Juventus have shown a few signs that this game is far from over in the last few minutes.

Marchisio has just taken a powerful shot from outside the box that went just over, after some sloppy play in defence from Barca.

Juventus have committed a serious amount of fouls in the opening half an hour, and it would be no surprise if they fail to finish the game with 11 men.

Vidal, who is on a booking, looks particularly likely to walk eventually, as he has already committed a number of offences.

This Juventus supporter is clearly a fan of tattoos.

Germany Soccer Champions League Final Frank Augstein Frank Augstein

Claims for a penalty as Pogba goes down in the box.

Juve are incensed, but replays suggest the French international made the most of it.

Very close! After some brilliant Barca build-up play, Suarez takes a shot on from the edge of the box that goes just wide.

Seconds later, Buffon is forced to parry over another attempt from the Uruguayan.

One of Juve’s main tactics seems to be fouling Barca.

Pogba has just committed yet another cynical challenge in an attempt to break up their rhythm.

Messi threatens to score another wondergoal, as he dribbles past a few Juve players before just overrunning the ball.

The Argentine superstar has looked menacing as usual.

HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 1-0 JUVENTUS

The second half is underway…

Noel Hunt needs a stream pronto!

Good start to the half for Juve. Pique is forced to head Pirlo’s free kick behind for a corner.

But the ensuing corner is clearled, and Barca break rapidly, with Buffon eventually doing well to parry a Suarez shot.

More lovely Barca interplay, before Messi hammers a shot over from the edge of the box.

The Argentine superstar must be desperate to get a goal to put the icing on the cake of what has been a fantastic season for him personally.

Juventus 1-1 Barcelona (Morata 54)

It’s another excellent goal, with a series of clever passes, before Tevez’s shot is parried by Ter Stegen, but Morata is on hand to slot home the rebound.

Game on!

Here’s a look at Morata’s goal…

La Doce / Vine

Barcelona are really under the cosh at the moment. Juventus sense an opportunity.

Though as I type, Messi dribbles downfield, but his pass to Neymar is imperfect, and the attack fizzles out.

Tevez curls a shot just over. Juve are really growing into this game, and have had the better of the second half so far.

That said, the Italians have six players over the age of 30 in their side, so they may tire soon, especially given all the running they did in the first half.

Barcelona have not been at their best in this second half.

Could now be the perfect time to introduce veteran midfielder Xavi for one final, spectacular flourish?

Barcelona 2-1 Juventus (Suarez 68)

Great work from Messi, who beats a player before seeing his shot parried away by Buffon, but Suarez is in the right place to convert into the empty net.

That was very similar to Juve’s goal.

Controversial! Neymar heads the ball into the net but it’s ruled out for handball.

Replays reveal that it deflected off Neymar’s hand on its way to goal.

Xavi has replaced Iniesta for Barca while Pererya is on in place of Vidal for Juve.

10 minutes remain.

Pique blasts a shot over from close range, but it would have been offside anyway.

Juventus don’t look like they’ve much left in the tank right now.

Llorente is on for Morata as Juventus go in desperate search for a late goal.

This has been an excellent game.

Lovely passing both from Pogba and Llorente, but Barca’s defence intervened before anyone could get a proper shot on goal.

A fair few Juve players look exhausted now.

Marchisio has a pot shot that Ter Stegen has to parry away for a corner. Barca clear the ensuing set piece comfortably though.

Five minutes of added time will be played.

Rakitic is being replaced by Mathieu as Barca look to shore it up in the dying moments.

Tevez turns sharply but his shot is straight at Ter Stegen.

That could be Juve’s last chance.

Barca make their final change — Suarez walks off gingerly and is replaced by Pedro.

Barcelona 3-1 Juventus (Neymar 90 + 6)

FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 3-1 JUVENTUS

So that’s that. Barca have won the trophy for the first time in four years and the fifth time in total.

It was a manful attempt from a hard-working Juve side, but ultimately, Barca had too much class for the Italians.

Pirlo is in tears, while the Barca players are ecstatic.

Right, that’s all from me for now, but we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow…

The Inter team that won the Champions League with the help of a volcanic ash cloud>

O’Neill refuses to be drawn on FAI-Fifa controversy, urges supporters to behave>

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