SPORTS

Classy Barca win Super Cup

August 21, 2006 11:38 IST

Spanish and European champions Barcelona claimed their first silverware of the season with a high-class 3-0 win over city rivals Espanyol in the second leg of the Super Cup on Sunday.

A neat header from Xavi and a spectacular double from Portugal international Deco gave Frank Rijkaard's side a 4-0 aggregate victory over the King's Cup winners.

Barca, who also won the Super Cup last season, have now won the trophy seven times, the same total as arch-rivals Real Madrid.

They will have the chance to add another trophy to their collection when they play UEFA Cup winners Sevilla in the final of the European Super Cup in Monaco on Friday.

"It was the perfect way to start the season," Deco told reporters after the game. "It was great to score four goals and win without having to suffer too much."

The first leg was marred by controversy over the participation of Barca duo Carles Puyol and Xavi just three days after they had withdrawn from Spain's friendly with Iceland because of injury, with Espanyol claiming their inclusion had breached FIFA rules.

But there was little Espanyol could do to stop Barca on the pitch and with Ronaldinho and Xavi pulling the strings in midfield the home side were in scintillating form in the opening 20 minutes.

They opened the scoring after three minutes when Xavi sent a glancing header spinning into the top corner after Ronaldinho had dinked the ball across the area after bamboozling Espanyol fullback Sergio Sanchez with a mesmerising step-over.

Nine minutes later Deco made it 2-0, steering a low shot past Kameni after fullback Juliano Belletti had cut back a superb pass from the byline when he had raced on to a fine through-ball from Xavi.

With victory now effectively secured, Barca eased up and Espanyol were able to stem the tide until early in the second half when Deco added a third with an overhead kick after another great cross from Belletti.

Source: REUTERS
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