Barca taste first defeat
(Agenices)
Updated: 2004-11-15 10:07

Barcelona suffered their first Primera Liga defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 at Real Betis on Sunday, allowing fierce rivals Real Madrid to cut their lead to four points with a 6-1 thrashing of Albacete.

Barcelona Samule Etoo of Cameroon jumps to head the ball under pressure from Betis' Juanito during a Spanish league soccer match in Sevilla, Spain Sunday Nov. 14, 2004. [AP]

Barcelona created plenty of opportunities throughout a dramatic match in Seville but were unable to recover after their hosts pulled 2-0 ahead in the second half, despite a late goal from Gerard.

At the Bernabeu Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Raul all found the net in a fast-paced first half with Walter Samuel and substitute Michael Owen scoring after the break before Ronaldo rounded off the demolition with a sixth in injury time.

The results sharply narrowed the gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona before next weekend's showdown between the two teams at the Nou Camp.

After 11 games Barcelona lead the standings with 26 points, four ahead of Real Madrid. Espanyol, who beat Racing Santander 2-1 on Saturday, are third on 20.

Barcelona had the better of the first half against Betis and Ronaldinho came close to scoring with two headers.

But Betis started the second period with more purpose. Edu powered home their opener in the 49th-minute and Ricardo Oliveira made it 2-0 20 minutes later after more hesitant Barcelona defending.

Barcelona hit straight back when Gerard headed in a cross from Deco after 71 minutes but they were unable to find an equaliser.

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