Champions league - semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 0 - Real Madrid 2

It was judgement day in Spain. The two biggest teams in the country met in a European competition for the first time in 42 years, and the country talked about nothing else all week. In the end though it was Real Madrid who march on towards the golden gates of a Hampden Park final, condemning Barcelona to a fiery fate after beating them 0-2 in their own Nou Camp stadium. Missing the injured Rivaldo and Puyol and the suspended Xavi, Rexach put out a back four who had not played together once all season. Solari replaced the banned Figo in Del Bosque's side, with Guti in for the injured Morientes. César saved from Kluivert and Luis Enrique headed against the bar as Barça dominated the first half. However they could not find that final pass, and Raúl brought a good save out of Bonano at the other end. And then ten minutes in to the second half Solari and Raúl spearheaded a rapid breakaway to set up Zidane for him to chip the ball over the keeper to open the scoring and silence the crowd. The Catalans threw everything forward and substitute Geovanni hit the bar again with a dipping shot. But Madrid sentenced the tie in the second minute of injury time when Flavio put McManaman through on the right for him to lob the ball over Bonano. It was a sad night for the Barcelona fans on the day of the patron saint the Catalans share with England, San Jordi, otherwise known as Saint George. The dragon had won this time, and Madrid should have no trouble completing the job next Wednesday in the second leg in their own stadium. Barcelona's president Joan Gaspart looked a broken man sitting alone in an empty directors' box as the lights went out on another season. (23.04.02)