FCBARCELONA.CAT

Skip menu

Main menu

Content menu


Top of page

Content

Link to related content

Football

04.03.2010 12:41

One year on from Pinto’s penalty

Edgar Fornós


The penalty saved by Pinto in Mallorca was one of the turning points of last season. Could Messi’s goal against Malaga be another important moment in the race for a championship title?


Thursday March 4 marks a year since Pinto saved a penalty from Mallorca’s Pep Lluís Martí in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey. Barça went to the Ono Estadi on the back of four winless games and their confidence was waning. Barça were losing 1-0 and were down to ten men. Had that penalty gone in, Barça wouid have had a mountain to climb to reach the final in Mestalla. But Pinto saved it, and the rest is history.

Messi’s goal

2010-02-27_PARTIDO_23.JPGA year later, and FC Barcelona have just beaten Malaga with first place in the table at stake. With just a few minutes to go, Messi stepped up to score a late winner after a stuttering February in which the side’s unbeaten record was surrendered and FCB’s football lost some of its magic. That win may be the tonic to get Barça back on top of their game.

Magic moments

439ppf1060.jpgMoments like Pinto's save in the islands to keep the cup dream alive, and Messi’s goal at the Camp Nou to ensure Real Madrid didn’t take over at the top of the league, are the kind of things that can have a positive effect on any side. Had Barça not won in Mallorca, then they would never have been able to claim to be the first side to win the Copa del Rey, Liga and Champions League in the same season.
One year on from Pinto’s penalty

To view this content you need the latest version of the Flash Player


Scene to remember
Pinto’s save against Mallorca was one of the moments Barça fans will always savour. The keeper screamed at the Mallorca taker, insisting he was going to go to the left. Martí, surprised by what he heard, dropped his head, made his run up, and struck the ball. Pinto hadn’t lied. He went left. So did the ball. Whether it was luck or clever mind games we shall never know, but the important thing is that Barcelona were on their way to the cup final.


Share with


Top of page

Back to top

Related content

Football News


Back to top
Top of page