At half time

At half-time, Manchester United and Barcelona are no closer to deciding who will be crowned European Champion, sitting tied at one goal apiece.

Barcelona took the early lead on a goal from Pedro in the 27th minute. The Barcelona striker was able to bury a chance past United keeper Edwin van der Sar after a cross from Xavi Hernandez left him all alone in the box.

Manchester United drew level less than 10 minutes later on a close strike from Wayne Rooney.

Rooney put the ball past an outstretched Jose Manuel Pinto after a cross from Javier Hernandez left him with an open look.

United had looked like the better side for the opening 10 minutes, but the tide quickly turned after Barcelona found their feet in front of the London crowd.

Barcelona players petitioned the referee for a hand-ball in the 12th minute, as the ball appeared to strike United defender Patrice Evra's hand inside the box.

Barcelona striker Pedro tipped a cross just wide of the United goal in the 16th minute for the game's first quality scoring chance.

David Villa whistled a shot just to the right of the United goal in the 19th minute, providing a acre for United's back end.

With a chance to pull ahead once more in the 42nd minute Barcelona was unable to convert a set piece off a free kick. The chance came after Antonio Valencia was called for a foul just outside the box.

Lionel Messi was unable to connect with a ball of the foot of David Villa in the 44th minute, missing a glorious chance for a go-ahead strike.

Injury has forced Barcelona captain Carles Puyol to start the game on the sidelines, while United's Dimitar Berbatov started on the bench in favour of Mexican striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.

The match between the two European giants Manchester United and Barcelona will determine which club is Europe's best in 2011.

It makes for a fitting end to this year's Champions League campaign, pitting two of Europe's most storied franchises against each other in a rematch of 2009's Champions final. Barcelona triumphed in that game 2-0 in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

This year's rematch provides not only another glimpse at two of the most successful teams in recent UEFA Champions League history, but arguably the two best soccer teams playing right now. Both Barcelona and Manchester United won their respective league titles this year, setting up a winner-take-all final between the two.

Both teams had to push past their arch-rivals, not only for their respective league titles, but also in Champions League play. Barcelona topped Real Madrid 3-1 in a two-leg semi-final Classico, while United powered past Chelsea in the quarters by an aggregate score of 3-1.

United and Barcelona are both in search of their third title since the European Club Championship was rebranded to the current Champions League tournament format. Barcelona won it all in 2006 in addition to beating United in 2009. United has won Champions League twice: in 1999 and in a thrilling victory over Chelsea on penalties in 2008.

Prior to the Champions League rebranding, each club had won one European Cup title, with Barcelona winning in 1992 and Manchester United in 1968.

Both teams have previously won European titles at Wembley, with Barcelona winning 1992 and United taking the title on home soil in 1968.