Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Ruthless United cruise into Final


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Manchester United produced a virtuoso display to remain on course to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League - and destroyed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's dream of winning his first European trophy in the process.

Arsenal's hopes of wiping out a single-goal deficit from the first leg were all over inside 11 minutes as United struck twice to silence an expectant crowd inside the Emirates.

Ji-Sung Park pounced on Kieran Gibbs' slip for a close-range finish after eight minutes, while Cristiano Ronaldo fired a 40-yard free-kick past startled Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia three minutes later.

It left Arsenal's plans, plus Wenger's bold promise of a "magnificent" performance from his players, in tatters as they were simply unable to cope with the power, pace and energy produced by Sir Alex Ferguson's side as they delivered what was a consummate performance.

Ronaldo's second goal of the game after 61 minutes summed up their display in the space of a few devastating seconds.

Arsenal were undone from their own corner by a superb sweeping move that also involved starring roles for Park and Wayne Rooney before Ronaldo completed the formalities with a flourish.

It rubber-stamped United's passage into a final against Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome later this month - and on this compelling evidence they will take some stopping.

The only blot on United's otherwise perfect night came 16 minutes from time when Darren Fletcher was sent off by referee Roberto Rosetti, who ruled he had fouled Cesc Fabregas as he raced in on goal.

Robin van Persie's penalty will not cause United as much pain as Fletcher's suspension for the final.

If United's first leg performance did not bring the victory it deserved, they were full value for this triumph and could have won by more as Arsenal fans streamed away from the Emirates long before the final whistle.

And as Ferguson and United's players celebrated, Wenger was left to contemplate the stark statistic that Arsenal have not won a trophy since they beat these same opponents in the 2005 FA Cup Final - and looked light years behind them on the evidence of these two games.

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Chelsea stunned as Barca go through


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Andres Iniesta's injury-time strike stunned Chelsea and sent 10-man Barca into the Champions League final.

Chelsea took an early lead through Michael Essien's thunderous volley.

Barca's hopes took a blow when Eric Abidal was sent off but Iniesta arrowed a sensational shot into the top corner to send his side through on away goals.

Chelsea, who had four penalty appeals turned down, surrounded the referee at the final whistle as their frustrations boiled over.