It was
Roberto Carlos' amazing strike which set the famous stadium
alight in only the sixth minute. The Brazilian, whose role as
the team's dead-ball specialist was coming under question
following a barren spell, lined-up a direct free-kick 35 yards
from goal and beat the hapless Francesc Arnau with a sensational
strike which soared into the right-hand corner of the net.
And as Vicente Del Bosque's side continued to create the
better openings, Anelka gratefully slotted the loose ball into
the empty net in the 19th minute after Guti and Morientes had
had efforts charged down inside the Barca area.
An error by Roberto Carlos almost let in Luis Figo on the
half-hour mark, and Barca's Portuguese winger tested Iker
Casillas with a 20-yard drive, before Ronald de Boer squandered
a gilt-edged chance for the visitors a yard from goal.
And as the play flowed from end to end, Arnau pulled off a
brilliant one-handed save to deny Roberto Carlos his second,
before a curling direct free-kick from Rivaldo in the 39th
minute crashed against Casillas' right-hand post.
But Madrid, marshalled superbly by Fernando Redondo in the
centre of midfield, never looked in trouble after the break, and
only Figo came remotely close to beating Madrid's young keeper.
And a clinical finish on the turn by Morientes wrapped things
up for the home side in the 53rd minute.
The only low point for Madrid came five minutes from time
when Guti, who had already been booked in the 72nd minute,
picked up his second yellow card.
But the setback could not stop Del Bosque's giants from
romping to a famous victory.
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