Xavi clinches top spot for Barcelona in Milan
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China.org.cn, November 24, 2011
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FC Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi scores on penalty a 2-1 lead goal during a UEFA Champions League Group H soccer matchbetween AC Milan FC Barcelona at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, Milan, Italy, 23 November 2011. |
Xavi Hernández's 63rd-minute strike put an end to an exciting San Siro spectacle and earned the European champions a deserved victory.
The Italians equalised twice through Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng after Barca had twice led through Mark van Bommel's own goal and Lionel Messi's 31st-minute penalty.
A Mark van Bommel own goal gave Barcelona the lead after 14th minutes, but six minutes later Zlatan Ibrahimovic levelled in his first appearance against the European champions since leaving the Camp Nou in 2010 following to the breakdown of his relationship with Pep Guardiola.
Barca were in front again soon after and in somewhat controversial circumstances. Fabregas' lovely ball put Xavi in on goal only for the midfielder to be bundled over by midfielder Alberto Aquilani with referee Wolfgang Stark awarding the spot-kick.
However, less than 10 minutes after the restart a stunning individual effort from Kevin-Prince Boateng levelled matters again, but Messi slipped in Xavi for what ultimately proved to be the winner in the 63rd minute.
