Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Barcelona's title hopes are hanging by a thread with Frank Rijkaard's team eight points behind Real Madrid after a late goal from Jon-Dahl Tomasson helped Villarreal to a 2-1 win at Camp Nou on Sunday. With 11 games left Barca need a minor miracle to overhaul Real, 2-1 conquerors of Espanyol on Saturday, and prevent their arch-rivals from retaining the Spanish championship.
Xavi Hernandez looked to have snatched a point for Barca after he cancelled out Marcos Senna's first half penalty but Danish substitute Tomasson struck the winner nine minutes from time.
It was a famous win for Villarreal who have completed a league double over the Catalans and are now only four points behind in third. Two weeks ago Barcelona were just two points behind Real but successive defeats to Atletico Madrid and Villarreal could have ended their title hopes.
Barca were without Lionel Messi, sidelined for six weeks with a leg injury, but their attacking trident of Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o still made fearsome reading for the Villarreal back four. With Carles Puyol missing, Ronaldinho took over the captain's armband. The home side dominated possession but Victo Valdes hauled down Guille Franco in the box and Senna braved the home whistling to convert the spot-kick.
Xavi equalised on 67 minutes but substitute Tomasson produced a shock winner a Villarreal won at Camp Nou for the first time in six years.
1 comment:
Good posting,
Thank you.
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