FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.06.2008 09:21

Two wins and a draw

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Five azulgranas played in yesterday’s warm-up friendlies for the 2008 European Championships: Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Henry and Deco. Spain and Portugal beat Peru (2-1) and Georgia (2-0), while France only managed a scoreless draw against Paraguay.

Of the five Barça internationals only Puyol played the full ninety minutes. The Barcelona captain started the European Championships warm up friendly against Peru, which proved to be a difficult match but Spain eventually ran out 2-1 winners in the Nuevo Colombino stadium in Huelva. Xavi and Iniesta also started the game but were later substituted in the second half for Cesc and Cazorla respectively. The two midfielders were the best players for the national side whose play was irregular to say the least.

Xavi decisive for 1-0

Spain took the lead after 37 minutes. Xavi picked out Valencia’s David Villa with a great pass and the striker stroked the ball home past the Peruvian keeper, Butron. Luis Aragones’s side created more chances to kill the game off but it was the Peruvians who scored next, equalising in the 73rd minute when Rengifo made the most of a bad rebound off Marchena. In the last few minutes Spain played courageously and in time added on Capdevila volleyed home spectacularly from a Cesc cross.

Henry unable to avoid a draw against Paraguay

Henry was the only azulgrana on the French side who played against Paraguay in Toulouse. Thuram and Abidal didn’t play in what was a very dull game with France unable to do any better than a 0-0 draw. Henry played the full first half and had a great goal scoring chance after only six minutes. He was substituted at half-time by Gomis but France’s attack didn’t improve.

Portugal win but fail to impress

Deco started for Portugal against Georgia in the Fontelo stadium in the Portuguese city of Viseo. Deco played the first 45 minutes of an uneventful game and was substituted at half-time by Raul Meireles. The Barça midfielder had a good chance to score on 32 minutes but his long range effort went just wide.