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Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano in La Liga
Barcelona struggled initially against relegation candidates Rayo Vallecano but eventually completed a comprehensive three-nil victory, moving them up to eighth
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 08:48 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Barcelona:
Barcelona struggled initially against relegation candidates Rayo Vallecano but eventually completed a comprehensive three-nil victory. The match got off to a tentative and sluggish start at the Nou Camp stadium on Sunday. Neither side commanded play but it was the home team who had the best of the early chances - Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert with both glorious opportunities but lacked both the power and accuracy to convert. Rayo's best chance came with a free-kick by Michel - the curling shot forcing the best from Barca's keeper Victor. Goalless at the interval, Barcelona's captain Luis Enrique Martinez broke the deadlock in the 68th minute - a one-two with Patrick Kluivert finished with an outstanding volley into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal. Nine minutes later and Kluivert was again involved. Weaving his way into space on the edge of the box, he slid a perfect pass through for Marc Overmars to slot the ball through the keeper's legs for the Catalan's second. Rayo attempted a comeback with a break from Bolic but his shot was aimed directly Victor who blocked it bravely. In injury-time, the three points were sealed for the Catalans as Argentine striker Javier Saviola broke through a tired Rayo defence to add a third. Barcelona's victory moved them up to eighth position on 43 points while Rayo are now six points adrift of safety. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
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