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Barca and Real continue perfect start to season
A classy free kick from Real Madrid's David Beckham and smart goals from Barcelona new boys Ludovic Giuly and Henrik Larsson allowed both teams to maintain their 100 percent records in the Primera Liga on Saturday. The England captain sent the ball sailing over the wall and then dipping sharply into the far corner from 23 metres to give Real a 1-0 win over promoted Numancia at the Bernabeu. French midfielder Giuly paved the way for Barca's authoritative 2-0 victory over Sevilla at a rain-sodden Nou Camp with his second goal in two games when his sharp close-range shot deflected off the keeper and into the goal 10 minutes before halftime. Former Celtic striker Larsson opened his account for the Catalans with a well-taken second, bursting into the area to volley home a fine cross from Portugal midfielder Deco midway through the second half. Barca, who were without influential Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, had a host of further chances to extend their lead but African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o was unable to provide the finishing touches to several slick attacking moves. Earlier, champions Valencia relied on substitute Miguel Angel Angulo to spark a fight-back that lifted them from two goals down at the break to claim a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao. Barca lead the fledgling table on goal difference from Real with six points each from two games, while Valencia follow in third two points behind.
Modest opponents Real, who lost their last four league matches at the Bernabeu at the end of last season, made a confident start against their modest opponents and were only denied an early lead by some sharp saves from Numancia keeper Alvaro Nunez. But Beckham, playing his 50th official game for Real, broke the deadlock with his outstanding 17th minute free kick, his fifth goal from a set-piece since joining the club last season. Real still appeared to be suffering from many of the same problems that resulted in such a disappointing campaign last season as they settled on their lead and let Numancia back into the match after the break. Raul continued his miserable run of form when he tripped over his own feet after being put in the clear by Ronaldo in the first half and then missed a close-range chance after good work by the lively Luis Figo. The Real skipper was substituted by Michael Owen 18 minutes from time, but the former Liverpool striker also missed a great chance when he was set up by Figo and ended up firing the ball straight at the keeper. Valencia appeared to have one eye on next week's Champions League opener against Anderlecht as they gave Bilbao a two-goal lead at San Mames, striker Ismael Urzaiz finishing off a slick counter-attack in the 15th minute and defender Andoni Iraola adding another from the penalty spot. Claudio Ranieri's side eventually came to life in the second half and pulled a goal back when Italy striker Marco Di Vaio rifled home after appearing to control a clever long pass from Angulo with his arm. Angulo then grabbed one for himself when he drilled home 11 minutes later after a neat headed assist from Argentine midfielder Pablo Aimar to earn his side a valuable away point. |
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