Berlin, Jun 6 (EFE).– FC Barcelona captured its fifth Champions League title with a 3-1 victory here Saturday over Italian club Juventus, which overcame a poor start to put a scare into the Spanish-league powerhouse.

With their win at Olympiastadion Berlin, the Catalans also became the first European club to pull off two trebles (domestic league, Cup and Champions League titles), having previously accomplished the feat in 2009.

The match had the makings of a rout in the early going when intricate passing among five Barcelona players ended with Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic getting a clear shot from close range and poking the ball into the back of the net in the fourth minute.

The Spanish club then had an excellent chance to double that lead nine minutes later on a shot in the area by Brazilian defender Dani Alves, but Juve net minder Gianluigi Buffon made a remarkable left-handed save to give his side a much-needed morale boost.

The Italian international also denied an attempt by Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez shortly before halftime to keep the Turin squad within striking distance.

Ten minutes into the second half, Barcelona would rue those missed chances when a blast off the foot of Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner ricocheted off goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s hand to Alvaro Morata, who powered the ball home from close range.

Juve got a brief emotional lift from the equalizer, but Argentine super striker Lionel Messi emerged to make a game-changing play in the 68th minute, driving down the left side and firing a strike that Buffon was unable to corral.

The ball was served on a platter to Suarez, who booted it home from point-blank range for what proved to be the winning goal.

Barcelona had all the momentum back on its side and could have sealed the victory three minutes later, but a header by Brazilian striker Neymar was disallowed when the referee ruled that the ball went into the goal off his hand.

The Catalans had to endure some trying moments until the final whistle, although the sure hands of Ter Stegan snuffed out Juve’s two best late-game opportunities, one off the foot of Claudio Marchisio and another attempt by Carlos Tevez.

But the Italian club’s desperate bid to equalize left it vulnerable to the counterattack in the closing minutes of regulation and in injury time, and Neymar finally gave Barcelona fans the two-goal lead they were craving with a strike on the game’s last play. EFE