Barcelona 2 - Málaga 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez (Iniesta 46'), Sylvinho; Xavi, Edmilson, Van Bommel; Giuly (Messi 62'), Eto'o (Larsson 70'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Málaga: Arnau; Alexis, César Navas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Edgar, Gerardo, Juan Rodríguez, Nacho (Hidalgo 82'); Pablo Couñago (Anderson Silva 75'), Salva (Chengue Morales 73). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barça: Edmilson, Van Bommel, Giuly for Belletti, Deco, Messi / Málaga: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 80. Ronaldinho (penalty). When Ronaldinho fell after tackle from Rodríguez.
2-0. 88. Larsson. Picked up through ball from Ronaldinho and chipped keeper.

Barcelona moved up to third pending Thursday's games after a late 2-0 victory over Málaga. Francesc Arnau returned to the Nou Camp where he learnt his trade, and put in a great performance during the first eighty minutes as Frank Rijkaard's side threw everything they could at him. The visiting keeper kept out efforts from Van Bommel, Eto'o, Giuly and Ronaldinho in the first half as the Blaugrana totally dominated the game, although Edgar could have given the Andalusians the lead when he headed wide just before the break.

The play continued in Málaga's half after the interval, with Iniesta coming on and also testing the keeper right away. Van Bronckhorst tried his luck as well, and when he did finally manage to get past Arnau a defender was there to clear. With ten minutes to go though Ronaldinho broke loose in the area, and the Brazilian forward fell rather too easily under a challenge from Juan Rodríguez. But referee Puentes Leira pointed to the spot, and Ronaldinho drove home the penalty kick without any remorse.

After that Tapia had to go for broke, and with gaps at the back Larsson took advantage to take the ball past César Navas and spoon a shot over the head of Arnau, his first official goal for over a year. A couple of minutes later Puentes called it a day, and Barça had another three points in the bag. They won't forget Arnau in a hurry though, and the fans applauded him off in the end.