Celta 3 - Barcelona 1

Celta: Cavallero; Velasco, Berizzo, Djorovic (Cáceres 26'), Juanfran; Jayo, Giovanella; Karpin, Mostovoi, Gusavo López (Jesuli 41'); Catanha (Edu 87'). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Reina; Reiziger, Puyol, Frank De Boer, Sergi; Gabri, Xavi, Cocu (Guardiola 85'); Simao (Alfonso 85'), Rivaldo, Zenden (Kluivert 55'). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 06. Simao. Ran on to Zenden cross from left to drive ball past keeper.
1-1. 45. Berizzo. Low shot across Reina after indirect free kick.
2-1. 51. Mostovoi. Header inside post after centre from Velasco on right wing.
3-1. 71. Jesuli. Took pass from Catanha and placed shot wide of keeper.

Celta went a long way towards getting their revenge on Barcelona for their elimination from the UEFA cup after coming from behind to take a two goal lead into Sunday's return leg. Games between these two teams have been getting more and more heated, and this one ended in scandal as referee Ansuategui Roca, a normally mind mannered official, sent off two Celta players and showed no less than fourteen yellow cards during the last fifty minutes of the match. The game boiled up in the last minute when Velasco was ruled to have fouled Rivaldo in the penalty area, the home side defender getting his marching orders for a second yellow card only minutes after Cáceres was sent off for two bookable offences. When things calmed down Rivaldo stepped up to take the penalty, but he hit his shot weakly and Cavallero made a vital save.

With Luis Enrique suspended and Petit, Overmars and Guardiola injured, Rexach put out a revolutionary side, bringing in Reina, Xavi and Simao and leaving Dutruel and Kluivert on the bench. Rivaldo was due to be on international duty, but the club managed to negotiate with the new Brazilian manager Scaloni to enable him to play this one game, and he took his place in attack for what could be the last time, rumours suggesting that he could be joining Lazio this summer. Celta were at full strength, but they were caught out early on when Barcelona came forward quickly, Simao finishing off a good team move after Zenden crossed in from the left. Reina made a good save from Mostovoi later in the half, and Cavallero stopped Simao's shot at the other end when the Portuguese winger got free in front of goal.

The game was already starting to get rough, and Víctor Fernández was forced to replace Djorovic and Gustavo López before the break through injury. On the stroke of half time Celta equalised, Berizzo beating Reina with a low shot, and the young keeper was forced to make a series of spectacular saves after the break as the home team took over completely. He could do nothing to stop an excellent header by Mostovoi though which put Celta ahead, and Rexach introduced Kluivert for Zenden in an attempt to get back in the game. It was the Vigo side who went further in front though when Jesuli scored from outside of the area, and the game degenerated after that, with Celta claiming a penalty for a trip by Reiziger on Jesuli, and Juanfran getting away with a clear punch at Rivaldo.

Rivaldo's penalty miss could prove vital as battle recommences next Sunday, but even so the Brazilian star will be greatly missed at what should be a packed Nou Camp. Víctor will have to cobble together a defence for that game, with Djorovic injured and Velasco and Cáceres suspended, and they could even be without Juanfran if the disciplinary committee decide to take action over his punch. But Celta will be the more motivated team, looking for their first ever cup title, and despite an incredibly long season which began with the Intertoto cup last July, they must be favourites to go through.