Juventus 1-3 Barcelona: Suarez and Neymar strike as Blaugrana lift Champions League

Date: 6th June 2015 at 10:45pm
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Juventus were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona at the Olympiastadion in the Champions League Final

Ivan Rakitic finished off a fine team move to put the Catalans ahead after just four minutes, but former Real Madrid man Alvaro Morata levelled on 55. Luis Suarez put Barca back in the lead 13 minutes later, while Neymar also had a goal ruled out for handball, but made up for it in the final minute to seal the game.

Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta combined on the left side, after some good work from Neymar, to lay the ball to Rakitic who side-footed past a helpless Gianluigi Buffon.

A couple of efforts were blazed over the bar at either end by Neymar and Arturo Vidal, who seemed to be on a mission to get set off after an early booking.

Buffon was then called into action once more as he spectacularly saved from Dani Alves, sticking a hand out as he dove in the opposite direction.

Jordi Alba hit another shot wide, before Javier Mascherano intervened as Paul Pogba crossed for Carlos Tevez. Alvaro Morata then curled an shot from the edge of the area wide.

There were then calls from the Juventus players for a free kick just outside the penalty area as Alba looked to have tripped Pogba, but the referee waved play on.

Just before the break Barca a good chance as Suarez skimmed the post with a low-angled drive.

In the second period Barcelona had a fantastic opportunity to double their lead as Rakitic brought the ball forward in a five on two counter-attack, but the Croatian passed to Suarez, who, from a tight angle, had his shot palmed away by Buffon.

Messi saw a shot from just inside the area go over the bar, before Juventus levelled the score.

A brilliant back-heel from Claudio Marchisio set Stephan Lichtstiener free down the right, his cross was picked up by Tevez who had his shot saved by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, but Morata was quick onto the rebound and slotted home for the Bianconeri.

Juventus then began to peg Barcelona back and could have took the lead as Tevez found himself unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was fired over.

Iniesta then played a beautiful ball into Suarez, but it was gathered by an alert Buffon.

Pogba was in the thick of the action as first his thunderous shot was hit straight at Ter Stegen, then he saw claims for a penalty waved away.

But Suarez put the Catalans back in the lead after great work by Messi, whose shot was parried by Buffon, and it was the Uruguayan who was alert enough to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

Neymar then looked to have put the game beyond Juventus, but he headed the ball onto his hand and the referee ruled his goal out.

Again, Messi went close, this time his free kick was put over the bar, then at the other end Pogba climbed above Pique to head onto the roof of the net, while also going close with a volley but it went over Buffon’s crossbar.

Shots from Marchisio and Tevez didn’t trouble Ter Stegen as Barcelona added a third late on to seal the Champions League.

 

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