© EuroFootball.com
On Friday evening in Monaco, in the European Super Cup match, UEFA Cup winners Sevilla unexpectedly defeated the Champions League winners, Barcelona, with a score of 3-0, and for the first time in the club's history won the European Super Cup.
0 - 3
7' [0 - 1] Renato
45' [0 - 2] Frederic Kanoute
90' [0 - 3] Enzo Maresca (penalty)
Barcelona: Valdes, Sylvinho (72' Giuly), Puyol, Marquez, Belletti, Xavi (57' Iniesta), Deco , Motta (57' Gudjohnsen), Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi.
Sevilla: Palop, Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Escude, David, Jesus Navas (76' Maresca), Renato, Poulsen, Adriano (82' Puerta), Kanoute, Luis Fabiano.
Sevilla took the lead in the 7th minute - Fabiano was alone in front of the goal, his shot hit Victor Valdes, bounced straight to another Sevilla player Renato, and the latter easily sent the ball into the empty net.
After conceding a goal, Barcelona took the initiative and by the end of the half, the Catalan club controlled the ball more than 65%, but couldn't equalize the score. Furthermore, just before the end of the first half, another goal fell into Barcelona's net - after a corner kick, V. Valdes pushed the ball out of the penalty area, but a former Sevilla player headed the ball to the center of the penalty area, where Sevilla forward F. Kanoute won the duel against Thiago Motta and, with his back to the goal, headed the ball into the net.
After the break, Barca continued to try to equalize the score - around the hour mark, Frank Rijkaard sent another forward, Eidur Gudjohnsen, and midfielder Andres Iniesta onto the field. The players further strengthened the attacks, but couldn't score - in the 63rd minute, a shot from the edge of the penalty area by E. Gudjohnsen was caught by Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop, and a few minutes later, a long-range shot by A. Iniesta flew just wide of the post.
Sevilla could have increased their lead - in the 68th minute, a header by Renato flew next to the post, and shortly after, a dangerous run by Adriano in the penalty area was intercepted by V. Valdes.
At the end of the half, Barcelona could have slightly softened the score, but after a mistake by A. Palop, E. Gudjohnsen failed to redirect the ball into the net from close range.
At the very end of the match, Barcelona was finally crushed - E. Maresca converted an eleven-meter penalty into a strong and precise shot into the Catalan goal, sealing Sevilla's victory.
