Real Betis vs Barcelona 3-2 Goal Highlights 29-03-2008

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Goals: Edu 64', 78'; Juanito 76' - Krkic 13'; Eto'o 16

Real Betis produced a stunning second-half comeback Saturday to inflict a painful 3-2 defeat on Barcelona and severely damage the Catalan side’s title hopes.

Frank Rijkaard’s team ended the day in the third spot after Villarreal leapfrogged them for second with a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Barca appeared set to move within a point of rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Liga after they stormed to an early two-goal lead.

Bojan Krkic and Samuel Eto’o struck within three minutes in the first half to give the visitors a comfortable cushion at the interval, but Betis hit back shortly after the break through Edu.

The Brazilian then saw a penalty saved by Victor Valdes, but Betis equalized a minute later through Juanito and stole a dramatic win when Edu atoned for his earlier miss with a stunning strike from outside the area late on.

Betis was allowed to play the game at its own ground despite being given a two-match stadium ban after Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Armando Ribeiro was struck in the face by a bottle thrown from the crowd two weeks ago.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had ordered the game to be played at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium, but Spain’s Sporting Discipline Committee (CEDD) overturned the decision on Friday following an appeal.

In contrast to Barca, Villarreal had no such worries as it stormed to a comfortable win over Atletico.

Santi Cazorla’s strike five minutes before halftime and Nihat Kahveci’s brace either side of the interval gave Manuel Pellegrini’s side a fourth straight league victory.

Leader Real Madrid welcomes Sevilla to the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Real Betis: Casto; Ilic, Juanito, Melli, Damià; Juande, Rivera; Edu, Capi (Sobis 53'), Mark González (Odonkor, m.53); Pavone (Xisco 87').

Barcelona: Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Abidal; Xavi, Touré (Gudjohnsen 79'), Iniesta; Henry, Eto'o, Bojan (Giovani 62').