Barça internationals shine
Football
26.03.2011 13:00
Barça internationals shine
www.fcbarcelona.cat
The Barça internationals all put in good performances in Friday night’s games, with only Valdes not getting a start. Xavi, Villa and Afellay were the three men who grabbed the headlines.
Images: www.rfef.es
David Villa made history with his two goals against the Czech Republic, which took him to a record
46 from 72 games at an average of 0.63 per match, to overtake Raul as Spain’s leading
international scorer. Vicente del Bosque’s team needed both the Barça striker’s goals
as they came from behind to win 2-1.
Villa thanks fans
Villa thanked his fans for their support after the game on his Facebook page,
writing: “I want to dedicate this to the teammates, coaches and other people who have helped
me enjoy this profession and to all the Sporting, Zaragoza, Valencia and Barça fans! Thanks to all
of them, my family and friend and especially my wife and children”.
Xavi century
It wasn’t just Villa who was celebrating in the Spanish camp though, as Xavi also marked his 100th appearance with the national side with a good performance. Xavi played the full 90 minutes, as did Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta and Villa. Iniesta played a big part in both Spain’s goals, putting Villa through for the first and being fouled in the box for the penalty that his Barça teammate put away.
Víctor Valdés was the only Barça man who missed out as Del Bosque decided to leave him in the stands as the third keeper.
Afellay on target
Barça’s other international playing on Friday was Holland’s Ibrahim Afellay, who scored the second goal in the Dutch team’s 0-4 thrashing of Hungary, before coming off on 63 minutes as the home team’s hard tackling began to take its toll.
France dedicate win to Abidal
The absent Éric Abidal was remembered in Luxemburg where the French team came out for the game, which they won 0-2, wearing shirts with the message “Abi, we are thinking of you! Courage!”- another demonstration of the support given to the Barça defender as he recovers from his recent operation.
Argentina and Brazil yet to play
Later tonight it will be Barça’s three Argentineans Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gaby Milito who are in action as they take on the USA in a friendly in New York, whilst Dani Alves’ Brazil play against Scotland in London on Sunday.
Villa thanks fans
Villa thanked his fans for their support after the game on his Facebook page,
writing: “I want to dedicate this to the teammates, coaches and other people who have helped
me enjoy this profession and to all the Sporting, Zaragoza, Valencia and Barça fans! Thanks to all
of them, my family and friend and especially my wife and children”.
Xavi century
It wasn’t just Villa who was celebrating in the Spanish camp though, as Xavi also marked his 100th appearance with the national side with a good performance. Xavi played the full 90 minutes, as did Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta and Villa. Iniesta played a big part in both Spain’s goals, putting Villa through for the first and being fouled in the box for the penalty that his Barça teammate put away.
Víctor Valdés was the only Barça man who missed out as Del Bosque decided to leave him in the stands as the third keeper.
Afellay on target
Barça’s other international playing on Friday was Holland’s Ibrahim Afellay, who scored the second goal in the Dutch team’s 0-4 thrashing of Hungary, before coming off on 63 minutes as the home team’s hard tackling began to take its toll.
France dedicate win to Abidal
The absent Éric Abidal was remembered in Luxemburg where the French team came out for the game, which they won 0-2, wearing shirts with the message “Abi, we are thinking of you! Courage!”- another demonstration of the support given to the Barça defender as he recovers from his recent operation.
Argentina and Brazil yet to play
Later tonight it will be Barça’s three Argentineans Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gaby Milito who are in action as they take on the USA in a friendly in New York, whilst Dani Alves’ Brazil play against Scotland in London on Sunday.
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