Once again a single goal from Thierry Henry was enough to get Barça through a round of the Copa del Rey. Having scored Barça’s only goal in two games against Sevilla in the last 16, Henry’s header before half time gave Barça a 1-0 aggregate win over Villarreal to secure a place in tomorrow’s semi-final draw.

Henry got the goal, and Ronaldinho made his long awaited return when he came on for the last 15 minutes, but the star of the night was Leo Messi who caused the Villarreal headaches all night with his dribbling skills and provoked the sending-off of Pascal Cygan. Frank Rijkaard selected his strongest team with Milito and Abidal returning to the defence which was solid all night, giving Victor Valdés one of his easier nights in goal.

The first half was quite cagey with Villarreal allowing Barça the possession but chances were few. Iniesta and Marquez had early attempts go over and Villarreal didn’t come near Barça’s goal until a shot from Rossi went wide in the 17th minute. After a short corner with Deco, Messi sent Puyol into the area to cross to Marquez who shot wide, and on 26 minutes Iniesta flicked a pass through to Messi whose effort was blocked by Diego Lopez, the ball came back to Bojan who laid it back to Deco who shot over.

Messi was coming more and more into the game, forcing a save from Diego Lopez after a great dribble, and then combining well with Henry before winning a corner. In the 40th minute Zambrotta won the ball and sent Messi off on another run, this time Cygan brought him down and was booked. Deco took the free kick, finding Henry in front of his marker to head home giving Diego Lopez no chance.

Within a minute of the restart Messi once again ran at the Villarreal defence turning Cygan this way and that. Cygan couldn’t help himself and lunged at Messi bringing him down; despite a pause, referee Mejuto Gonzalez eventually showed Cygan his second yellow card and sent him off.

Puyol who seemed to be struggling at the end of the first half was replaced at half time by Thuram. Barça’s defence continued with few problems in the second half. Barça continued to dominate but lacked the killer instinct. Henry had an effort saved after Messi and Deco combined, and then Messi sent Henry through but the linesman flagged for offside. Henry was booked for protesting the decision.

Messi’s amazing dribbles had the crowd chanting his name, and after 75 minutes he had the chance to put the icing on the cake when Bojan went down under the challenge of Diego Lopez and Mejuto signalled a penalty that looked extremely dubious from where I was sitting. Messi stepped forward to take the penalty and Rijkaard chose this moment to bring on Ronaldinho in place of Bojan. As the crowd chanted Ronaldinho’s name I commented to the bloke next to me that it would be better to wait until after the penalty. Ronnie came on and Messi offered him the chance to take the kick. Ronnie refused but Messi’s concentration went missing as his shot was pushed around the post by Diego Lopez.

In the end it didn’t matter, Villarreal had a final push forward that caused me a few nerves but they didn’t get a shot on goal in the entire game. Ronaldinho looked slightly off the pace in his 15 minutes but showed some nice touches. In the 90th minute he had a half chance but his shot went wide of the far post.

I have to say that it is quite different going to the stadium and trying to report a game for the blog compared to watching in a bar or at home. I bought the cheapest ticket available and then moved down to sit in possibly the best seat I’ve ever had at Camp Nou, bang on the half way line. So the view was great but I was worried someone would arrive and move me on, and of course there are no action replays and the emotion is increased when you attend a live game. Also the northern overweight bald bloke next to me didn’t stop natterring throughout which made it more difficult for me to give a serious analysis. All in all an enjoyable experience and thoroughly worth the €18 it cost me. If only all games were so cheap.

Barça: Valdés 6.5; Zambrotta 6.5, Puyol 6.5 (Thuram m45, 6.5), Milito 7, Abidal 6.5; Iniesta 6, Marquez 6 (Xavi m67, 6), Deco 5.5; Messi 8, Bojan 6 (Ronaldinho m75, 6), Henry 7.

Goal: Henry m42 1-0. 

Barça yellow card: Henry m54.

See Henry’s goal here
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