Barcelona superb in Super Copa victory
(tribalfootball.com)
Updated: 2005-08-14 09:33

Barcelona turned in a superb performance to win the first-leg of the Super Copa 3-0 against Real Betis yesterday.

After a comfortable victory at the Ruiz de Lopera, which was secured with three second-half goals, Frank Rijkaard's side appear to have the tie wrapped up ahead of next week's return leg at the Nou Camp.

Against a Betis side with one eye on their current Champions League qualifying campaign, Ludovic Giuly broke the deadlock before Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho completed a convincing win that will send a message to their rivals ahead of the Primera Liga kick-off in a fortnight.

Betis talisman Joaquin found himself clear on goal early on but could only lift his shot over the bar from close range after a strong Barcelona start.

In the second half Giuly finally made the breakthrough after trying to provide for his team-mates in the opening 45 minutes.

The diminutive Frenchman used his electric pace to beat the Betis offside trap after Ronaldinho's perfectly-executed pass and side-footed home after sprinting clear.

Minutes later Victor Valdes made his first testing save to deny Ricardo Oliveira after the Brazilian's powerful header.

And soon after, Eto'o burst into life to make it 2-0 after barely featuring in the previous 51 minutes.

The influential Xavi created it, poking a perfectly-weighted pass through the defence for the Cameroonian to control, round Doblas and stab home.

Ronaldinho then added a third goal with a trademark free-kick to probably put the tie beyond Betis. The Brazilian sent a wildly-dipping effort which went into the top right-hand corner leaving Doblas rooted to the spot.

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