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Barca give Real footballing lesson at Bernabeu
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-20 09:44
MADRID, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A virtuoso Ronaldinho double and a superb opportunist strike from Samuel Eto'o secured Barcelona a stunning 3-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Barcelona's Deco(L) is challenged by Real Madrid's David Beckham during their Spanish Liga football match in Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. [AFP] |
Eto'o scored the opener against his former club when he snapped up the ball on the edge of the area, turned inside a gaggle of defenders and fired under goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 15th minute.
Ronaldinho, fancied to add the European Footballer of the Year to the World Player award he won last year, struck after a dazzling solo run on the hour and completed the rout with his second after a mesmerising piece of skill 12 minutes from time.
Barcelona's 14th league victory at the Bernabeu put the champions top of the Primera Liga for the first time this season and made Frank Rijkaard the only Barca coach to lead the Catalans to two victories in Real Madrid's stadium.
Despite having Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane back from injury, Real rarely threatened the Barca back four and were jeered off the pitch by their own fans who had little choice but to marvel at the ease of their opponents' victory.
JITTERY START
Both sides made a somewhat jittery start but it was Barca who soon took control with Xavi and Deco marshalling the midfield and the dynamic Argentine teenager Lionel Messi a constant menace to the Real back four.
The live-wire Eto'o gave Real an early scare when he slid a low shot past the far post after beating the offside trap but they failed to heed the warning and five minutes later he put Barcelona into the lead.
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