Barcelona (1) 1 - Celta (3) 1

Barcelona: Dutruel; Reiziger, Frank De Boer, Sergi; Gabri, Guardiola, Xavi (De La Peña 54'), Zenden (Cocu 50'); Simao (Alfonso 66'), Kluivert, Overmars. 3-4-3.
Celta: Cavallero; Coira, Berizzo, Yago, Juanfran; Jayo, Giovanella; Karpin (McCarthy 83'), Mostovoi, Jesuli; Catanha (Edu 60'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 03. Berizzo. Got between defence to head home Mostovoi free kick.
1-1. 05. Kluivert. Poked ball into net after Yago and Cavallero hesitated.

A disappointing season came to an end at the Nou Camp as Barcelona were eliminated from the Spanish cup by Celta. Charly Rexach brought back captain Pep Guardiola for his last game before leaving the club, with Dutruel returning in goal for the injured Reina and Puyol and Cocu, both nursing injuries as well, left on the bench. Celta lined up with a makeshift defence with Djorovic injured and Velasco and Cáceres suspended, although Juanfran was allowed to play by the disciplinary committee after the decision on his case for punching Rivaldo was postponed until next week.

Rivaldo was the big absence though for this match after being called up by Brazil's new manager Scaloni, and without him Barça could not find a way to take advantage of their weakened opponents. Within three minutes of the kick off Celta built on their first leg lead, Berizzo getting between Kluivert and De Boer to head Mostovoi's free kick under Dutruel for his second goal in the tie. Barça now needed three just to force extra time, but Kluivert gave them some hope when he took advantage of indecision between Yago and Cavellero to stick out a leg and poke the ball into the net. It was his first goal since mid-April, but with the drought broken he almost scored again, firstly waiting too long after Simao put him through and then forcing a low save out of Cavellero with a shot just inside the near post.

Unlike the first leg, which was a hard fought and ugly battle, this game was fast and free flowing, and there were scoring chances at both ends. Mostovoi brushed the bar with another free kick and Jesuli hit the side netting with a shot. Rexach made his three changes early in the second half, with Cocu coming on for Zenden, who threw his shirt into the crowd in appreciation in what may be his last game for the club. De La Peña and Alfonso were also probably playing for the last time, and the manager gave them a run out for the last half hour looking for inspiration from any source. With twenty minutes to go Guardiola almost made it a fairy story last game, but his free kick rocketed off the cross bar and away, and Mostovoi headed straight at Dutruel after shaking off his marker.

Four minutes from the end Jesuli was sent off by referee Fernández Marín for a foul from behind on Alfonso, and the young winger left the field in tears, realizing he was going to miss the final in his home town of Sevilla. Gabri followed him soon afterwards for a second bookable offence, but most fans did not even see that as many had left, with the South goal stand totally empty as they left en masse. In the fifth minute of injury time substitute Benni McCarthy got free and drove a shot against the foot of the post, but it didn't matter as Celta go through to their third final, looking for the first ever trophy. In Vigo the fans celebrated, congregating around the Plaza de las Américas supposedly as a rehearsal for next Saturday, and in Villarreal too they were happy, hoping that Celta will beat Zaragoza to give them a place in the UEFA cup for next season. At the Nou Camp the fans that were left gave a standing ovation to Guardiola for his many years of service to the club, but booed off the other players and shouted protests at the directors' box. President Joan Gaspart told them this had been a year of transition and that next year will be better. But it is now two years since they won a trophy (they even failed to win the Catalan cup this season), and the demanding and impatient expect more.