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Barca make it 14 in a row, Real edge out Bilbao
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-04 09:08
MADRID, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Barcelona came back from a goal down to claim a 3-1
win over third division Zamora in the first leg of their King's Cup fifth-round
tie on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to 14 matches in all
competitions.
Arch-rivals Real Madrid snatched their first victory in
three outings when a second-half strike from David Beckham earned them a 1-0 win
away to Athletic Bilbao, their first victory at San Mames since 1998.
The remainder of the first-leg games will be played on Wednesday when holders
Real Betis meet Celta Vigo and last season's losing finalists Osasuna also
travel to Galicia to play Deportivo Coruna.
Villarreal take on regional rivals Valencia and Cadiz host Sevilla in two of
the evening's other leading ties.
Unfancied Zamora, who knocked out Primera Liga Real Sociedad en route to the
last 16, gave league champions Barcelona a run for their money and took a shock
lead when Xaco steered home in the fifth minute.
The midfielder controlled a flick-on with his chest, burst his way between
two defenders, checked inside Juliano Belletti and slotted past stand-in keeper
Albert Jorquera.
Barca, without attacking trio Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi as
well as influential midfielder Deco, were slow to respond but gradually began to
gain control.
Dutch midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst levelled eight minutes before the
break with a cool finish after a slick one-touch passing move involving Santi
Ezquerro and Rafael Marquez.
Nine minutes before time Mexican midfielder Marquez put the Catalans in front
when he curled an unstoppable free kick past the wall and into the far corner
from 20 metres out.
The goal put an end to Zamora's brave resistance and winger Ludovic Giuly
wrapped up with a third when he turned in at the near post after defender
Silvinho had scorched his way down the left flank and squared the ball into the
Frenchman's path.
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