Barcelona Bows Out From European League Final After Loss To Manchester

Manchester, England (AHN) - Manchester United advanced to the final after eliminating FC Barcelona with a 1-0 victory Tuesday night at the second round of the semifinals of the European Champions League Final at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester. United will face either Chelsea or Liverpool in the final.

Barcelona started strong against Manchester United controlling the ball most of the game until Paul Scholes' 25-yard strike 14 minutes into the game that earned a slot for the Red Devils in the final on May 21 in Moscow. Manchester will be playing only in its third final after successfully capturing the title in 1968 and in 1999.

Barcelona, already eliminated in the Spanish championships, had a chance to score the game's first goal following a tackle by Scholes on the attacking Lionel Messi resulting in a free kick. Barcelona failed to convert as the free kick was block enabling Manchester to counter with Ronaldo on the helm. Ronaldo's attempt through the center was blocked by a tackle form Gianluca Zambrotta but inexplicably played to Scholes for the goal and the game.

"It was a fantastic goal," Manchester manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the Canadian Press. "I don't think we can expect Paul Scholes to score 10-15 goals a season like he used to do when he was younger.

Manchester, winner of nine Premier League and five FA Cup titles since making Old Trafford its home in 1986, will be awaiting the winner of the other semifinal match between Liverpool and Chelsea on Wednesday.