Varas the hero as Barca held at home

 　　MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas was the hero of the night as his side produced a stunning² defensive³ display to earn a 0-0 draw against FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou stadium.

　　Varas made a string of spectacular saves, including an injury time penalty from Leo Messi as his side hung on for a draw.

　　Sevilla never lost their defensive composure, although they did lost their nerves for a time after referee⁴ Iturralde Gonzalez awarded Barcelona a 91st minute penalty after Federico Fazio brought down Andres Iniesta. Frederic Kanoute was sent off for an incident with Cesc Fabrigas as both sides squared up to each other.

　　The long delay must have tested Messi's nerves as he fired in a penalty at saveable height for Varas to stop.

　　It was just reward for the Sevilla keeper deserved who had made save after save to deny a Barcelona side that has spent virtually the entire second half camped on the edge of the visitor's penalty area.

　　The only time Varas was beaten it was by Iniesta, who saw a lob bounce out of play from the top of the Sevilla crossbar.

　　Without Barcelona ever playing their best football, Varas began his heroics in the first half.

　　Sevilla played with three midfielders ahead of a four-man defense⁵ and looked to deny Barcelona space. The tactic⁶ worked but as the half progressed the visitors were pushed deeper into their own half.

　　Varas produced four outstanding saves: firstly to deny Andres Iniesta after just nine minutes, and then twice to frustrate⁷ David Villa¹ in the closing minutes of the half. He also produced a stunning stop to frustrate Leo Messi, whose shot took a deflection on its way to goal.

　　Sevilla had looked to hit Barcelona on the break and at the other end, Victor Valdes also had to be at his best to deny Jesus Navas, firstly from close range and secondly⁸ from a shot the winger had looked to curl into the corner of the net.

　　The second half saw Barcelona in complete control, but with Varas pulling off save after save, it was simply not their night. The final whistle saw the keeper sink to his knees in triumph and even the Barcelona players congratulated him on his display. It is no less than he deserved for a truly outstanding performance.

1 villa   

n.别墅，城郊小屋

参考例句：

• We rented a villa in France for the summer holidays.我们在法国租了一幢别墅消夏。
• We are quartered in a beautiful villa.我们住在一栋漂亮的别墅里。

2 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

3 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

4 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

7 frustrate   

v.使失望；使沮丧；使厌烦

参考例句：

• But this didn't frustrate Einstein.He was content to go as far as he could.但这并没有使爱因斯坦灰心，他对能够更深入地研究而感到满意。
• They made their preparations to frustrate the conspiracy.他们作好准备挫败这个阴谋。

8 secondly   

adv.第二，其次

参考例句：

• Secondly,use your own head and present your point of view.第二，动脑筋提出自己的见解。
• Secondly it is necessary to define the applied load.其次，需要确定所作用的载荷。