Last-minute goal gives Barca Champions League win

Last-minute goal gives Barca Champions League win

 MADRID, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A last minute goal from Jordi Alba gave Barca three points from their Champions League match at home to Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic in a game that had looked destined¹ to end in a draw.

Alba's goal ensured a 2-1 win and means Barca have a 100 percent record in the group they share with Celtic as well as Benfica and Spartak Moscow.

Barca coach Tito Vilanova finally decided² to give young central defender³ Marc Bartra his first game of the season, while Adriano switched to play at right back instead of Martin Montoya.

Meanwhile Alex Song returned to central midfield to cover for the suspended Sergio Busquets.

Celtic meanwhile had traveled with four points from two Champions League matches and were cheered on by an estimated 5,000 fans. Celtic coach Neil Lennon included Greek striker George Samaras in his side along with Gary Hooper.

Barca sent the first warning as Alexis Sanchez fired wide from close range, but Celtic opened the scoring from a set piece. Samaras won a header and the ball took a deflection on its way past Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

That was the sign for the home side to take virtual control of the ball, but against a well-organized defense⁴ that was happy to sit on the edge of their penalty area, chances were few and far between until Andres Iniesta scored the equalizer following a swift exchange of passes with Leo Messi in the final minute of the half, just after Samaras had to leave the pitch with an ankle injury.

The second half began in the same way, with Barca in control, but struggling to carve out chances and struggling every time they had to defend a set piece. Victor Wanyama was close to heading Celtic ahead 10 minutes into the second half. Barca had over 70 percent of possession and Messi saw a fine chance saved when Fraser Forster produced a point blank save, although as the game opened up, Celtic also looked dangerous thanks mainly to substitute Kris Commons down the right flank.

Forster then made another flying save from a Messi header after Andres Iniesta had tried an audacious chip, just before Christian⁵ Tello replaced Pedro Rodriguez for Barca.

The last 10 minutes were a Barca monologue⁶ but there was simply no space for Barca to move the ball in or on the edge of the Celtic area, where the entire visiting side was camped out defending bravely.

David Villa⁷ hit the post in the last minute after passes from Messi and Iniesta and that looked as if it was the last chance but Jordi Alba popped up in the final seconds to score a dramatic winning goal that Barca deserved for their efforts, but which was cruel on a Celtic side that had performed with order and courage.

1 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

4 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。

5 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

6 monologue   

n.长篇大论，（戏剧等中的）独白

参考例句：

• The comedian gave a long monologue of jokes.喜剧演员讲了一长段由笑话组成的独白。
• He went into a long monologue.他一个人滔滔不绝地讲话。

7 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。