Barça boosted by Seville success

Barça boosted by Seville success

Saturday, 9 December 2006

Ronaldinho inspired FC Barcelona to a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad de Fútbol while Sevilla FC leapfrogged Real Madrid CF after an exciting 2-1 victory.

Ronaldinho strike

Ronaldinho continued his superb run of recent form by scoring the only goal of FC Barcelona's 1-0 victory over struggling Real Sociedad de Fútbol at the Camp Nou on Saturday night. The skilful Brazilian, who was the architect of Barca's 2-0 UEFA Champions League win against Werder Bremen on Tuesday, steered a clever first-time shot wide of keeper Claudio Bravo and into the far corner 16 minutes after the break to end Sociedad's resistance and score his eleventh league goal of the season.

Valdés save Barcelona ended the game with ten men after left back Silvinho picked up two quick bookings five minutes before the final whistle and almost conceded a late leveller when Víctor Valdés pulled off a spectacular save to prevent Darko Kovacevic's header from finding the top corner of the net. The win ensures the Spanish champions will remain top of the Primera División before their departure for the Club World Cup in Japan on Sunday.

Sevilla success

Sevilla leapfrogged Real Madrid to move into second place after coming from behind to win an exciting match at home against Fabio Capello's side.

David Beckham rewarded his coach's decision to select him by scoring from a long-range free-kick after 13 minutes. It appeared as though the former England captain was trying to cross the ball but his curling effort from near the left touchline eluded everyone before finding the far corner of the net.

Chevantón winner. Buoyed on by their fervent home supporters Sevilla responded within four minutes when Luis Fabiano rattled the crossbar with a fierce strike from ten metres out.

The ball fell kindly to Frédéric Kanouté who drove in the rebound. In an open match Ronaldo squandered a good chance to score when he tried to round the goalkeeper when through on goal shortly after the break only to be denied by goalkeeper Andrés Palop and, with 13 minutes to go, Ernesto Chevantón gave the home side a deserved winner with a spectacular half-volley.
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