[Magical20]

Barcelona were frustrated in the first half against a stubborn Real Sociedad side, but won through eventually thanks to a controversial goal from Ronaldinho. Victor Valdes saved their blushes with a fine save in injury time.

Eidur Gudjohnsen was interfering with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo when the finish from a Ludovic Giuly cross slammed home.

La Real had not won a match all season when they arrived in the Catalan capital, no one giving them a chance against the Liga leaders.

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard made five changes to the team that beat Werder Bremen in the crucial UEFA Champions League clash in midweek. Juliano Belletti, Lilian Thuram, Sylvinho, Xavi Hernandez and Edmilson came in, an indication of the depth of the squad.

The first chance was brilliantly orchestrated. Giuly was overlapped by Belletti, who passed to Edmilson. The Brazilian flicked a delightful ball over the top to Ronaldinho on the left, whose chest down and volley was just tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Bravo.

Darko Kovacevic, seeking his first goal for 13 months, attacked a cross on the quarter hour, but Thuram did enough to put him off.

The crowd were incensed when the assistant referee then disallowed two goals in three minutes.

In the 20th minute, Xavi passed to the feet of Gudjohnsen, who turned expertly and smashed into the corner of the net. Unfortunately for him, he was marginally offside.

If that was a good decision, the one following was poor. Giuly and Gudjohnsen joined forces to send a ball to the feet of Xavi. Instead of controlling the ball on the edge of the box, the Spain midfielder dummied to allow Ronaldinho a free shot on the left.

It duly came towards the far bottom corner and Bravo could only push it to the feet of Xavi, who tucked it away. He was level with a defender, but the flag went up and Barca were denied.

Captain Carles Puyol was brought off as a precaution after he overstretched, Oleguer Presas arriving in his place.

Sociedad had a great chance to score on 28 minutes. Kovacevic went for the ball with Thuram and it fell kindly for the arriving Uranga.

With Valdes making himself big, Uranga shot, but a last-ditch dive across from Belletti deflected it over the bar.

Ronaldinho came very close to another wonder goal when he anticipated a cross from danger man Giuly. He flung himself into an overhead kick and the stadium held its breath as it flew a fraction wide.

Barca struggled to regain a grip on the match immediately after half-time. Sociedad had a period of possession, but could not create any chances.

The home team came into the match again and on the hour mark got their goal. Giuly took the ball down the right and put in a low ball for Ronaldinho to score with a neat finish.

In a twist of fate, Gudjohnsen was stood in an offside position and in the line of sight of goalkeeper Bravo, but the officials allowed it.

Deco showed some lovely touches, as did his replacement Andres Iniesta, but another goal was not forthcoming.

The game ended on a sour note as Sylvinho was shown two yellow cards in a minute. First he was booked for time-wasting, which was fair, but then Xabi Prieto went down easily on the halfway line.

Deep into injury time Prieto headed at goal from a free-kick and Valdes was forced to tip over right in the top corner to give Barca the points.

Eurosport - Jonathan Symcox - 09/12/2006 23:42