Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1:  Barcelona scored twice late on to stun 10-man Arsenal 2-1 and win the Champions League in a tense, absorbing 50th anniversary final at a rain-drenched Stade de France in Paris tonight.

Striker Samuel Eto'o and substitute defender Juliano Belletti cancelled out a first-half header from Arsenal defender Sol Campbell and gave Barcelona the European Cup for the second time in their history.

It was a fitting outcome for Frank Rijkaard's side who battered the London club throughout the second half after Arsenal became the first side ever to have a player sent off in a European Cup final.

Rijkaard, who steered Barca to a second successive Spanish title this season, became only the fifth man to win the European Cup as a player and a manager.

Norwegian referee Terje Hauge showed German keeper Jens Lehmann a straight red card after he caught Eto'o on the fringe of the area after the Barca striker had been put through by Ronaldinho in the 18th minute.

Manager Arsene Wenger brought on Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and took off disconsolate midfielder Robert Pires, whose last appearance for Arsenal was ending in a way he could never have imagined.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Londoners, who had dominated the opening exchanges, refused to fold and were rewarded when Campbell outjumped the Barca defence to thump a header inside the far post eight minutes before the break.

Almunia then made an outstanding save from Eto'o just before half-time when he palmed a fierce shot against his post and at that stage it appeared as if it was going to be Arsenal's night.

Thierry Henry wasted a chance to seal it for Arsenal and 14 minutes from time they were punished.

After repelling some intense pressure they crumbled when Eto'o raced on to a neat flick from substitute Henrik Larsson, controlled the ball with his left foot, transferred it to his right foot and struck the ball home in between Almunia and his near post.

It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 995 minutes of Champions League play but worse was to follow when they conceded a second six minutes later.

Brazilian Belletti grabbed the winner with his first ever goal for Barca when he thundered a shot under Almunia after Larsson had played him in. Reuters