Madrid, Apr 12: Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho scored one of the goals which set Barcelona on their way to a 3-1 at Valladolid Saturday but then put his good work to waste by getting sent off. Barca now have 59 points, seven behind second-placed Valencia and eight off the pace set by Real Madrid, but their ongoing push for a Champions League place was overshadowed by Ronaldinho's dismissal. The Brazilian star had already been booked for refusing to retreat the full 10 metres from a free-kick and then received his second yellow card in the 55th minute when he tried to kick the ball out of the hands of Valladolid goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri.
Barca were cruising at the time having gone 2-0 ahead. Argentinian international Javier Saviola had put them in front after just two minutes when he was set up by Dutchman Michael Reiziger.
Half an hour later, Saviola turned provider to create a goal for Ronaldinho. After the Brazilian's dismissal, Valladolid took full advantage with Oscar pulling a goal back in the 66th minute but Andres Iniesta then scored his first goal in the top flight to make sure of the three points in the 85th minute.


Bureau Report