Manchester Utd were obliged to defer to the superiority of Barcelona in the European Champions League final at Wembley.
Barca were worthy 3-1 winners in normal time with a brilliant display of running, passing, pressing... United just could not live with them.
There was early hope, though. After a brilliant Pedro first-half opener, Rooney struck back with a belter of his own with a shot at the end of a couple of sharp one-twos.
Despite half-time parity, Barca proved too good and ran out worthy 3-1 winners.
EIF News & Features Sports Editor Thelonious Adidas was strangely unmoved: "No. I expected to find Barca beating Man U hilarious - you know, the community club who support UNICEF on their shirts and don't demand payment for it against the club whose support base is globally glory-seeking.
"But I was in the West End on Friday evening to mingle with the supporters and I saw a comic juggler at Covent Garden. He made me so happy I laughed my head off so much I had no capacity for mirth left on Saturday night.
"Good game though, wasn't it?"
