Match Report Saturday 18/02/2006 22:00 La Liga, match day 24
FC Barcelona – Real Betis Balompié 5:1

Camp Nou, Barcelona – attendance: 70,000





1-0 Larsson ´17
2-0 Melli (o.g.) ´29

3-0 Melli (o.g.) '34
4-0 Ronaldinho '58

4-1 Joaquin '62
5-1 Messi '85




Referee: Eduardo Iturralde González


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Belletti (Gabri '64), Oleguer, Puyol, Sylvinho – Deco, Edmilson, Iniesta (Motta '68), - Larsson (Messi '76), Eto'o, Ronaldinho – Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Real Betis Balompié (4-4-2): Doblas - O. Lopez, Melli, Juanito, L. Fernández (Varela '46) - Joaquín, Arzu, Rivera, Edu - Dani, Diego Tardelli (Robert '46) - Manager: Llorenç Serra Ferrer



Primera División leaders FC Barcelona returned to form in spectacular style and left struggling side Real Betis Balompie no chance in the Nou Camp. Champions Barcelona keep a seven point advantage over Real Madrid after a 5-1 defeat against Real Betis at Camp Nou. Barça took the lead after just 17th minute when Henrik Larsson finished a flowing Barça move. Ronaldinho's pass set Samuel Eto'o free down the right and the leading goalscorer unselfishly passed the ball across the goal for Larsson top tap it in easily. Just thirteen minutes later the Barca crowd could celebrate again. Betis defender Melli endured a nightmare on this exciting evening when he scored two own goals within just 5 minutes. Firs in 29th minutt, unlucky Melli turned Ronaldinho's very clever pass past his own goalkeeper as he tried to reach the ball before Eto'o. 5 minutes later on 34th, it was unfortunate Melli again who struck again his second own goal of the evening. Betis Goalkeeper Antonio Doblas was helpess as Ronaldinho's free-kick took two deflections and unfortunate Melli again getting the final touch. FC Barcelona added a fourth in the 58th minute when Doblas was without any chance after Ronaldinho´s superb free-kick. Joaquín scored for Betis just four minutes later but it was nothing more than a conselation goal. But it was Barcelona who had the last word when Substitute Lionel Messi came from the bench and delighted the home crowd with one of his typical runs and netted in after his initial shot had been saved by Doblas for the fifth time in 85th minute.


My comment: After two defeats in the last two championship matches, you could feel that Barça had been totally focused and were absolutely keen to warm up for the midweek Champions League encounter with Chelsea. They did this in style and it was a real five-star display. With all the stars on board it looked very easy and I am sure that the Barça team took a boost in their confidence on the way to beat Chelsea in London. We are very exciting and can not wait until Wednesday!!!