Barcelona 1 - Racing Santander 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Reiziger, Puyol, Oleguer, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Cocu, Davids (Motta 90'); Luis Enrique (Overmars 60'), Saviola (Kluivert 64'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Racing: Dudu Aouate; Cristian Alvarez (Anderson Silva 62'), Moratón (Morán 84'), Pablo Casar, Juanma, Ayoze; Afek, Nafti (Pablo Lago 75'), Diego Mateo, Jonathan; Javi Guerrero. 5-4-1.

Team changes: Barça: Puyol, Luis Enrique for Márquez, Iniesta / Racing: Afek, Diego Mateo, Jonathan for Morán, Benayoun, Regueiro.

Goals:
1-0. 16. Ronaldinho (penalty). After Ronaldinho tripped by Alvarez on edge of area.

Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid's defeat to move into second place, two points now ahead of their arch-rivals after beating Racing Santander 1-0 on Sunday evening. Saturday's results meant that the Cantabrians were in a relaxed mood after assuring top flight football for another season, but even so they put up a good fight, with Javi Guerrero putting the first chance of match just wide.

The only goal of the game came on the quarter hour mark from the penalty spot after Ronaldinho's good run from the left was ended by Cristian Alvarez as he approached the edge of the box, referee Daudén Ibáñez turning down the visitors' claims that the foul was outside of the area. Luis Enrique was playing his last match for the club at the Nou Camp before moving on, but he turned down Ronaldinho's offer to take the kick and the Brazilian stepped up to drive it home himself.

After that though the Catalans were unable to add to their score, despite an inspired performance from Ronaldinho. The Brazilian midfielder and Saviola both tested Aouate and Luis Enrique hit the post just before the break after Ronaldinho set him up. And it was more of the same after the restart until Puyol got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, after which the visitors could have scored themselves, Alvarez in particular going close with a header.

But it was Barcelona's night, and the fans rose to their feet to give Luis Enrique a standing ovation as he was substituted by Overmars. After the disastrous start to the season, it hasn't turned out so bad for the Blaugrana in the end.