Football Club Barcelona all but booked their place in the last eight of the Champions League with a 2-3 win over Celtic. Very rarely will Celtic Park have witnessed such a superb display of football as that offered by Barça tonight. Two goals from Leo Messi and a Thierry Henry special gave Barça the victory which looked in doubt as Celtic took a 2-1 lead in at half time.
Frank Rijkaard surprised everyone by putting Ronaldinho back in the starting lineup for the first time in 2008, but the Brazilian responded with his best game for a long time. Samuel Eto’o was not considered ready to start the game and Xavi was also left on the bench.
Barça started well and after 12 minutes Henry intercepted a poor defensive pass before pulling the ball back to Iniesta who forced the first save of the match from Boruc. A minute later a corner from the right found Henry who controlled brilliantly with his chest but his volley as the ball came down was blocked by a defender.
Barça were dominating completely but Celtic shocked us by scoring with their first attack. Marquez, Puyol and Iniesta made a mess of clearing McGeady’s cross and Naylor sent the ball back in for Vennegoor of Hesselink to score with a spectacular diving header.
Barça hit back immediately when Messi played a one-two with Deco and got into the area to beat Boruc with a shot into the roof of the net. It now seemed as if Barça would take total control. Ronaldinho seemed to have found his old spark, Deco was very active in midfield, and both full backs were getting forward with ease to cause danger. Then in the 38th minute, with the shot count at 8-1 in Barça’s favour, Celtic came forward and scored again. McGeady attacked Puyol before cutting back inside Iniesta to deliver a sweet cross to Robson who arriving late behind Milito sent in a looping header that caught Valdés flat footed.
It seemed impossible that Barça could go in at half time a goal down. Two perfect crosses from the left had proved more effective than all the fantastic teamwork that Barça had offered. However, Barça came out in exactly the same way in the second half and set about pulling the game back. In the 50th minute Messi had a shot deflected wide; from the corner Iniesta volleyed wide; a minute later Caldwell jumped all over Henry but the referee ignored the appeals for a penalty. Then in the 52nd minute Ronaldinho intercepted a poor pass out of defence and sent Henry through on the left, Henry cut inside and curled a beauty into the far corner that was reminiscent of his best days at Arsenal.
With two away goals in the bag Barça knew the hard work had been done but they continued to play some excellent football. In the 62nd minute Messi cut in but shot straight at Boruc, then a few minutes later Ronaldinho flicked the ball back to Abidal but Henry could not convert his cross. Celtic had one more attempt on goal when Donati’s shot forced Valdés into a low diving save.
Marquez had a header saved after a corner from Xavi, and then it was Milito’s turn to force a save from a Xavi free kick as Barça piled on the pressure. Barça got their just reward in the 79th minute: Xavi sent Eto’o away on the right and his cross took a couple of deflections off the defence before arriving at the feet of Messi, the Argentinian coolly pulled the ball back inside the defender before shooting low past Boruc.
It was no more than Barça deserved and in the last ten minutes Boruc twice thwarted Henry again. Samarras caused a scare in injury time when he fell in the area but the ref booked him for diving.
It’s been a while since Barça have played so well and there were many reasons to be optimistic for the future. First, Ronaldinho looked somewhere near his best again, he showed an appetite for the game that has been lacking in the last few months and impressed with some flicks and passes. Deco was also very impressive and was Barça’s most active midfielder. Abidal gave a splendid performance at left back and got forward on many occassions combining well with Ronaldinho. Henry scored his best goal since arriving at Barça, and finally, Leo Messi has rediscovered his goals. Barça could not have hoped for a better performance except for a couple of mistakes in defence. They thoroughly deserved the victory and the only shame is that their dominance did not convert into a bigger win. The return game is at Camp Nou on March 4th.
Celtic: Boruc; Caddis (Wilson m61), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Hartley (Donati m65), Robson, McGeady; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samarras m55).
Barça: Valdés 5.5; Puyol 7.5, Marquez 6, Milito 6, Abidal 8; Deco 7.5 (Xavi m65, 7), Toure 7, Iniesta 6.5; Messi 8, Henry 8 (Gudjohnsen m88, –), Ronaldinho 7.5 (Eto’o m73, 7).
Goals: 1-0 Vennegoor of Hesselink m16; 1-1 Messi m18; 2-1 Robson m38; 2-2 Henry m52, 2-3 Messi m79.
Barça Yellows: Deco m29.
Messi’s first
Henry’s golazo
Messi’s second
Highlights
19 responses so far ↓
Jack // Feb 21, 2008 at 0:05
As a Celtic fan I was proud to watch such a display of attacking and skilful football as Barca showed tonight. I sincerely hope you go on to win the Champions League, it would be the least the team deserve.
Just happy my side managed to score two goals against such a great side.
ae // Feb 21, 2008 at 0:18
Great game, one of the best plays we preformed for a long time. Glad to see Ronaldinho back, to me he had very good game and he did not deserved to be substituted, but again maybe coaches did that to get him little bit angry so that he boosts his performance even more. Visca Barça!
ae // Feb 21, 2008 at 0:20
Oh and I forgot about Henry. Great goal, fantastic. That’s all.
Rafael // Feb 21, 2008 at 0:57
Even though Celtic were ahead 2x.. I had a feeling Barca would eventually win the fixture.
Ronaldinho is back to his best, he played well.. not to sure if he should have been substituted, but at least he’s shown something. He was chasing down balls, playing defense as well!
Henry’s goal was amazing, typical and patented Henry finish, Messi was superb once again.
Is Barca back???
Speeka // Feb 21, 2008 at 1:44
hats off to Celtic park, their applause at the end & during Ronies substitution said it all.
john // Feb 21, 2008 at 3:33
As a Celtic fan, I’m proud the way the Bhoys to the game to Barca.
As a BIG fan of Argentina, I was even more happy to see my Lionel MESSI back to his best. He is simply awesome!!!
I would like to hear some comments from you guys on my blog about the game. Appreciate it very much.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/02/brilliant-messi-too-much-for-celts.html
Winterhunt // Feb 21, 2008 at 4:17
A very brave performance by Celtic…. I was impressed. Of course as a Barca fan, I am very happy with our performance, and our ability to dig down twice from deficits and pull out a hard fought victory. Kudos to Celtic and their classy fans, they played hard until the end. I could go on about Messi, Henry, Ronnie et al but I don’t think it is nescessary. Suffice it to say that I think we are playing with a hunger about us, we moved the ball beautifully, and to finally be healthy as a squad, really makes a world of difference. I can see why Celtic beat Milan. They are by far a superior side to Rangers. It was a great match to watch. Hopefully this will silence all the Frank haters out there….. Congrats again to all around. This is why football is the best.
Blaugrana // Feb 21, 2008 at 4:57
Yipi another correct prediction nic! I didn’t watch the game but from what i’am reading it was a fantastic game great.
Joe // Feb 21, 2008 at 7:25
having just begun watching Barca matches, it was a pleasure to see this one. the Messi goals were thrilling, and I was speechless when Henry scored. Viva Barca!
pep // Feb 21, 2008 at 9:32
Finally it comes out. If we play with a good mentality, this is just the best team in the world, who can doubt this. Hope they have it started now. This can only be the beginning though, so stop frustrating your fans and use your talents every single game!!!
Great how the Madrid tabloids don’t say anything about the Ronaldinho comeback…
No fantastico to bash this time, guys! Well, let’s hope it’s a real comeback.
Nic // Feb 21, 2008 at 10:33
Congratulations to Blaugrana for the correct prediction. You are now leading with three correct! You can hold your head up high today
Varughese // Feb 21, 2008 at 11:20
Henry looked so good when he shifted to left. I have been saying this you want to get anything out of him. We might have brought Henry as a back up for Eto, but it looks like it will be Ronnie and Henry who will be fighting for place. I feel Ronnie is getting back. Last season he might have shown some brilliance in some matches, but these two matches as I said in my Zaragoza match report confirms he is coming back. These two were two tough away matches and he may not have done any spectacular feet, but was very consistent.
I was very skeptical of Barcelona’s chances in La Liga. But now for the first time after defeat by hands of Madrid, we have a solid chance of a treble. Madrid has lost last three of their away matches, that’s sound inspiring.
dayib-SM // Feb 21, 2008 at 11:50
kkkkkkkkkkkkkk last night i was very happy the way of the wining .
i am sure barce come back their best.
all players made good performance against celtic .
i hope contineous their best.
kkkk bye sir dayib
Speeka // Feb 21, 2008 at 13:34
If anyone would like to see the match again, its streamed here:
http://www.champions.we.bs/espn360-vod-6551.html
Speeka // Feb 21, 2008 at 13:38
…or here, for en Espanol.
http://www.champions.we.bs/espn360-vod-6552.html
pep // Feb 21, 2008 at 14:26
@ Varughese:
Henry himself said last week that he prefers to play up front and that him playing at the left the whole time was the main reason why he still didn’t show his best.
Jay // Feb 21, 2008 at 20:28
I really dont understand how people are praising Celtic for a so-called “brave” performance. Just because Aiden McGeady manages to give Carles Puyol a few troubles, it doesnt mean that Celtic took the game to Barcelona.
In fact, you wonder we won just 3-2. That too, after coming from behind. Football is unfair, really.
Celtic’s goals were just 2 out of 2 chances in the first half, while only Artur Boruc managed to stop Barca really and that goalline clearance.
It was Barcelona all the way. They are the best team in the world and as Eric Abidal said “unstoppable in full flow”…..
Jay // Feb 21, 2008 at 20:29
One more thing…….
Are people in Madrid having a sound sleep at nights?
Varughese // Feb 22, 2008 at 4:55
Pep:
Wasn’t that a very diplomatic answer from Henry.
You look at his stats he was never a huge success playing upfront as lone striker or so.
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