Racing Santander 1 - Barcelona 1

Racing: Ceballos; Pineda, Moratón, Juanma, Sietes; Ismael, Nafti; Morán (Benayoun 65'), Munitis, Regueiro (Txiki 87'); Javi Guerrero (Diego Alonso 77'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Bonano; Puyol, De Boer, Fernando Navarro; Mendieta (Gerard 46'), Xavi, Cocu (Rochemback 75'), Gabri; Saviola (Overmars 62'), Riquelme; Kluivert. 3-4-2-1.

Team changes: Racing: Morán for Pablo Sierra / Barcelona: Riquelme for Luis Enrique.

Goals:
1-0. 02. Javi Guerrero. Headed wide of Bonano after ball deflected off Morán.
1-1. 84. Fernando Navarro. Headed down past keeper from Riquelme free kick.

Racing Santander were close to claiming another top scalp after their victories against Deportivo and Real Madrid. This time their victims were Barcelona, but Van Gaal's side got away with a point thanks to a late headed goal from Fernando Navarro, his first ever for the team.

After their six goal victory over Alavés the week before, Barça were hoping to end their run of two away defeats in a row. However Racing took the lead somewhat fortunately in the second minute through Javi Guerrero, the ball bouncing up for him to head past Bonano after Cocu's attempted clearance was charged down by Morán. For the rest of the first half honours were even, although Juanma was lucky to stay on the park after he barged over Saviola after the rgentine youngster intercepted a bad pass by Moratón in front of goal.

At half time Van Gaal brought on Gerard for Mendieta, allowing him to switch players back to their more usual positions, and for the next ten minutes the visitors bore down on the Racing goal. Riquelme was given a place in the starting line up thanks to an injury to Luis Enrique, and with Argentina team coach Bielsa watching from the stands, he brought two first class saves out of Ceballos and sent a third shot skimming just wide. The Racing keeper was on great form though, and a minute later he produced a one-handed reflex save from Kluivert to keep his side ahead.

Van Gaal turned to Overmars, now on his way back after a long injury, and he gave Barça more width down the left wing. However Racing were dangerous on the breakaway, and Regueiro failed to convert an easy chance after good play by Munitis and substitute Benayoun.

The introduction of Diego Alonso near the end also produced some excitement for the home fans, and a few minutes after shooting straight at Bonano when free in front of goal, he had a penalty appeal turned down after a hard tackle by Puyol. But Navarro appeared to head home Riquelme's cross, and only another great stop by Ceballos from Kluivert saved Racing from repeating their late defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad the week before. In the end a draw was a fair result, leaving Barcelona in eighth place, and Racing a point below them in eleventh.