CLUB AMÉRICA v FC BARCELONA 4-4


Club América: Ochoa, Castro, Davino, Óscar Rojas, Ricardo Rojas, Mendoza (Salinas 80'), Peña (Sánchez 78'), Cabañas (Vuoso 60'), Villa (Arguello 82'), Cuevas (Infante 69'), López (Mosqueda (87').


FC Barcelona: Valdés (Jorquera 46'), Belletti, Márquez (Oleguer 46'), Olmo, Gio (Sylvinho 46'), Edmílson (Saviola 68'), Van Bommel (Deco 46'), Giuly (Ronaldinho 46'), Iniesta (Motta 46'), Ezquerro (Messi 62'), Gudjohnsen (Eto'o 46').


Goals:
1-0 Cuevas (3')

1-1 Márquez (5')
2-1 Cuevas (30')

3-1 Cuevas (44')
4-1 Oleguer, o.g. (64')

4-2 Saviola (84')
4-3 Ronaldinho, pen. (88')

4-4 Eto'o (91').


Referee: Terry Vaughn


Attendance: 70.550 spectators


FC Barcelona fought back in an 8 goal thriller last night as they scored three late goals to earn a 4-4 with Club América (Mexico) in Houston. Paraguyan striker Nelson Cuevas scored 3 goals in the first half and Oleguers own goal in the 64th minute put the Mexican side 4-1 up with only 25 minutes to go.


After trailing 4-1 and a terrible defensive performance FC Barcelona´s attacking departement had to step up a few gears to make the impossible possible. 3 goals from Saviola, Ronaldinho and Etoo in less than 10 minutes earned Barca a draw at the end.


Claudio López, the former Valencia and Lazio forward set up 2 goals before the break. López run forward before passing the ball sideways for Nelson Cuevas to shoot the ball past Víctor Valdés and into the corner of the net. Barcelona immediately equalised within 60 seconds when Rafael Márquez headed Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's corner inside the near post.


A few moments later, Barca hit the post twice. It was Eidur Gudjohnsen, who struck the post first while Santiago Ezquerro shot the rebound against the far upright.


In the 30 minute it was Cuevas again, who scored for America. Cuevas was challenged by Jesús Olmo, but was able to hold the young Barca defender off and placed the ball into the same corner again, when he put the ball passed Víctor Valdés. 2-1 for America!


For the 3-1, López broke clear down the right on the 44th minute. Barca goalkeeper Valdés run out of his goal to challange López, but the argentinian striker passed the ball across for Cuevas to finish from close range. The impressive and technical skilled Cuevas completed his hat-trick a minute before the break to give América a comfortable 3-1 lead.


At halftime, Barcelona made several changes, including the introduction of Ronaldinho. But instead of scoring a goal that would bring the Barca team back ionto the game it was Oleguer Presas who put a low cross into the back of his own goal.


It was actually "unwanted" striker Javier Saviola's who changed Barca´s fortune when 6 minutes from time, the "Conejo" Saviola hit the ball into the roof of the goal. Ronaldinho made a great run forward and it was Barca top scorer Samuel Eto'o who flicked the ball across the penalty area, so Saviola cinish with an imprssive effort.


3 minutes later, Ronaldinho shortened Club america´s lead to 4-3 after converting a penalty in 88th minute. Ronaldinho was brought down in the penalty area and it was the Brazilian superstar who took the respon sibility to drive the ball into the bottom corner of the net from the resulting spot-kick.


The drama continued into the fial seconds of the match. Barca trying everything to snatch an equalizer was pressing forward. Saviola had the ball to his feet on the corner of the penalty area and crossed the ball into the box for Barca striker Eto'o to head home.


Finally the match finished 4-4. This was a stunning comeback from a Barca team that still has time to work on their defence. Thuram and Zambrotta did not make their debut in a Barca shirt.