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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Real beat Barcelona to close gap | Real beat Barcelona to close gap |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Real Madrid closed the gap on Spanish league leaders Barcelona to two points after a deserved 2-0 win. | |
| Real captain Raul put the home side ahead on three minutes with a flighted header following Sergio Ramos' cross. | Real captain Raul put the home side ahead on three minutes with a flighted header following Sergio Ramos' cross. |
| Five minutes into the second half Ruud van Nistelrooy volleyed in Robinho's cross after a Real counter-attack. | Five minutes into the second half Ruud van Nistelrooy volleyed in Robinho's cross after a Real counter-attack. |
| Real boss Fabio Capello, who sent on former England captain David Beckham with five minutes left, also saw his side hit the bar twice. | Real boss Fabio Capello, who sent on former England captain David Beckham with five minutes left, also saw his side hit the bar twice. |
| Raul's deflected shot struck the woodwork while Van Nistelrooy was similarly unlucky with a great chip. | Raul's deflected shot struck the woodwork while Van Nistelrooy was similarly unlucky with a great chip. |
| It was the first time Barcelona had lost in the league this season, though Frank Rijkaard's side still top the table on goal difference ahead of Valencia. | It was the first time Barcelona had lost in the league this season, though Frank Rijkaard's side still top the table on goal difference ahead of Valencia. |
| Barcelona had plenty of possession but former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen was unable to replicate the deadliness in front of goal of Raul and Van Nistelrooy. | Barcelona had plenty of possession but former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen was unable to replicate the deadliness in front of goal of Raul and Van Nistelrooy. |
| The Icelandic striker was eventually withdrawn midway through the second half as Rijkaard introduced Javier Saviola in a bid to save the game. | The Icelandic striker was eventually withdrawn midway through the second half as Rijkaard introduced Javier Saviola in a bid to save the game. |
| Saviola immediately created an opening for Lionel Messi but the Argentine lashed his shot into the side-netting. | Saviola immediately created an opening for Lionel Messi but the Argentine lashed his shot into the side-netting. |
| Raul gave Real the perfect start when he lost his marker Lilian Thuram and rose superbly to meet Ramos' cross from the right with a firm header. | Raul gave Real the perfect start when he lost his marker Lilian Thuram and rose superbly to meet Ramos' cross from the right with a firm header. |
| Real captain's might have had a second goal on 15 minutes, but his deflected shot hit the crossbar. | Real captain's might have had a second goal on 15 minutes, but his deflected shot hit the crossbar. |
| Van Nistelrooy might also have had a penalty in the first halfThat chance was set up by Robinho, who initiated many of Real's early attacks. | Van Nistelrooy might also have had a penalty in the first halfThat chance was set up by Robinho, who initiated many of Real's early attacks. |
| A curling shot from Robinho forced Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes into a save, before the Brazilian sent Van Nistelrooy marauding into the box. | A curling shot from Robinho forced Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes into a save, before the Brazilian sent Van Nistelrooy marauding into the box. |
| The Dutchman went to ground under Valdes' challenge but play was waved on. | The Dutchman went to ground under Valdes' challenge but play was waved on. |
| Barcelona took their time to adapt to Real's forceful start. | Barcelona took their time to adapt to Real's forceful start. |
| Messi's dazzling skill created a chance for Gudjohnsen, who shot wide with just Iker Casillas to beat. | Messi's dazzling skill created a chance for Gudjohnsen, who shot wide with just Iker Casillas to beat. |
| Barcelona switched their point of attack to the other flank, Andres Iniestas crossing to the unmarked Messi, who shot over the bar. | Barcelona switched their point of attack to the other flank, Andres Iniestas crossing to the unmarked Messi, who shot over the bar. |
| A sublime exchange of passes between Messi and Ronaldinho freed the Argentine, but Casillas was quickly out of his goal to rescue Real. | A sublime exchange of passes between Messi and Ronaldinho freed the Argentine, but Casillas was quickly out of his goal to rescue Real. |
| Barcelona began the second half brightly and Gudjohnsen briefly glimpsed goal, only to delay his shot. | Barcelona began the second half brightly and Gudjohnsen briefly glimpsed goal, only to delay his shot. |
| Van Nistelrooy punished Gudjohnsen's profligacy when Real broke quickly - the Dutchman managed to get to Robinho's cross before Valdes and cleverly volleyed home. | Van Nistelrooy punished Gudjohnsen's profligacy when Real broke quickly - the Dutchman managed to get to Robinho's cross before Valdes and cleverly volleyed home. |
| And just as Raul had done in the first half, Van Nistelrooy clipped the bar with a superb chip. | And just as Raul had done in the first half, Van Nistelrooy clipped the bar with a superb chip. |