Champions League final: Barcelona v Manchester United – in pictures

It's only mid-afternoon but Wembley Way is already packed as many fans have made an early trek to north London to soak up the atmosphere ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A desperate United fan appeals for a spare ticket Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

This woman may have a bit more luck with her emotive and eloquent plea, especially if she throws in that model of Old Trafford Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A Barcelona fan earns her stripes Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

What's he doing here? Got any spares, Jose? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The skills this chap honed in his childhood on Blue Peter entries have come to some good at last. Extra points for the ribbons Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The Barça fans have eschewed the sticky tape and silver foil for hours of needlecraft. That is one huge banner Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Here's the prize at stake tonight ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Incidentally, United first got their hands on the European Cup at Wembley, as did Barcelona. United's maiden triumph was in 1968 and Barça's in 1992 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The first half-chance of the match falls to United after seven minutes when Wayne Rooney chases a long clearance from Edwin Van der Sar but Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes is just first to the ball and punches it clear Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

After a sluggish start Barca eventually find their form with Messi becoming more and more of a handful. Here, he out-paces Michael Carrick and cuts inside leaving Nemanja Vidic on his rump, looking like a chump. However, the United defender redeemed himself mid-way through the first half when he made a goal-saving tackle, denying Messi just as the Barca genius had burst into the area Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Next up, Messi skips between Evra and Ferdinand as if they're non-league defenders Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Rooney loses out to a tackle from Sergio Busquets as United push forward Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Barça take the lead in the 27th minute when Xavi slips the ball to Pedro on the right-hand side of the area and he wrong-foots Van der Sar by guiding his shot into the net at the near post Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... Pedro then he races off in delight ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Dani Alves is first to catch him Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... and then a number of other team-mates join in for a group hug Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Just seven minutes later United unexpectedly get back into the game when Rooney curls the ball into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Valdes ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Rooney slides off on his knees in celebration with Patrice Evra Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Antonio Valencia thinks he's worked out how to stop Messi. If he follows through that is really going to hurt the little Argentinian Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Looks like Valencia has found a way to deal with Busquets too. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Barcelona man rolls around for a while after that challenge Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The second half starts as the first half ended with Barça increasing the pressure. They take the lead again in the 53rd minute when Messi unleashes a shot from the edge of the box which Van der Sar once again fails to read. The Dutchman is beaten down to his left – it's 2-1 to Barça and that's Messi's 53rd goal in 54 games this season Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Wayne Rooney looks worried that this game might become a repeat of the 2009 final after all Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Seventy minutes in and more Barça brilliance exposes the United defence. Messi breaks clear down the right with a mazy dribble but is crowded off the ball as he enters the area. Busquets collects the lose ball and lays it back to Villa, who is in space on the edge of the area. The Spaniard takes him time, takes a touch, and gives Van der Sar no chance when he curls an unstoppable peach into the top-right corner. That's surely won Barça the cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Ryan Giggs appeals for handball in the final minutes of the match. The ref is having none of it though - play on Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

That's it, the final whistle has blown and Barcelona have won their fourth Champions League title - and their third in five years Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Barcelona celebrate as United's players contemplate the defeat Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Chicharito must be ruing his own performance as much as the result - he was pretty much anonymous tonight Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Scholes and his United team-mates look understandably dejected. Not only were they beaten but, like in Rome in 2009, they were taken apart by Messi and his Barça team-mates Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

At least Rooney can console himself with his own performance - he was probably the best player in a United shirt
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Barça players make their way up the steps to the Royal box and Eric Abidal, who had a benign tumour removed from his kidney only last month, is given the honour of lifting the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Pep Guardiola is tossed into the air again. They get better at that every year Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Back down on terra firma Guardiola gets his hands on the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Not content with taking the trophy back to Spain with them, Gerard Pique has decided that he wants to keep the goal-netting too Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Ferguson gives Pep a warm smile, acknowledging that his side were deservedly beaten Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Messi lets everyone know that it's the third time he's won the Champions League Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The players dance around the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The ground staff have turned the sprinklers on - looks like they're trying to bring this party to a swift conclusion Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

It wasn't the sort of farewell match that Van der Sar might have hoped for. He was slow reacting to two of Barcelona's goals, so maybe his decision to retire is the right one Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Messi carries the trophy off the pitch ... and he has every right to after his performance Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian