Deportivo La Coruña 2 - Barcelona 3

Deportivo: Molina; Scaloni, Andrade, Naybet (Djalminha 77'), Romero; Sergio, Mauro Silva; Víctor (Fran 46'), Valerón, Luque; Diego Tristán (Pandiani 46'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Reiziger, Oleguer, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Cocu (Gerard 66'), Davids (Motta 46'); Luis García (Gabri 69'), Saviola, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Deportivo: Naybet for Capdevila / Barça: Reiziger, Davids for Márquez, Motta.

Goals:
0-1. 24. Ronaldinho. Header down inside far post from Xavi's free kick.
0-2. 29. Saviola. Turned in Xavi's cross after quick passing move down left.
0-3. 48. Ronaldinho. Controlled centre from Luis García and scored from close up.
1-3. 50. Pandiani. Came back to steer header past Valdés from Romero's cross.
2-3. 56. Pandiani. Got on the end of Romero cross to head in off far post.

Barcelona's impressive run continued, and they made it seven straight wins in a row in all competitions after beating third placed Deportivo La Coruña 2-3. The Catalans started strongly, with Saviola bringing a good save out of Molina early on, although Diego Tristán could have scored at the other end and also had a penalty appeal turned down. Barça scored twice though in a five minute period in the middle of the first half, the first goals that Molina had conceded in six games, with Ronaldinho heading home a Xavi free kick and Saviola finishing off a quick passing move down the left wing.

Irureta made two changes at the break, bringing on Pandiani and Fran for Tristán and Víctor. But within minutes of the restart Barcelona had scored again, Saviola finding Luis García down the right wing for him to set up Ronaldinho for his second of the night. A runaway win seemed on the cards, but only two minutes later Pandiani's bull neck stretched backwards to power a header past Víctor Valdés, and six minutes later he struck again with another header from Romero's cross to close the gap to one goal.

Rijkaard had brought on Motta and left Davids in the dressing room at half time to avoid him picking up a second booking from rookie referee Tristante Oliva, the man who had caused all the problems with the late penalty for Real Madrid against Valencia, and he decided to make two more changes, bringing on Gerard and then Gabri for Cocu and Luis García. Gabri forced Molina into a first class save minutes later, but when Oleguer pulled back Valerón as he advanced on goal, Tristante inexplicably showed a second yellow to Motta, who was nowhere near the play. A five minute protest only produced more yellow cards for the visitors, and Barça had to carry on with ten men.

The game didn't end there though, with both sides creating numerous chances in the final minutes. Xavi chipped a shot against the bar with Molina beaten and Saviola and Ronaldinho both went close, and Luque shot wide at the other end. The Catalan born striker should have equalised though in the dying minutes when he ball fell to him only a yard out, but he incredibly managed to fire a shot into the ground and over the bar, certainly the miss of the season. However in the end it was the visitors who took the three points, and they close to within four points of the Galicians. Madrid may be moving out of sight after they won again, but the battle is on for the second spot, which gives the incumbent the right to automatic entry into the league stage of the Champions' League competition. As from today it's a three horse race.