MADRID, 1 November 2005 — Osasuna returned to the top of the Primera Liga with a 2-0 home win over Espanyol on Sunday while the inspirational Ronaldinho helped to push champions Barcelona up to second after a 5-0 rout of Real Sociedad.
Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho scored twice after setting up Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel for the opening goal.
Carles Puyol and Swedish striker Henrik Larsson were also on target at the Nou Camp. Sociedad had striker Gari Uranga sent off after 69 minutes. Barca coach Frank Rijkaard did not want to single out any one player for praise.
“The best thing at the moment is the team spirit,” Rijkaard told reporters. “I want to congratulate the players for their attitude and the way different players are making the most of their opportunities.
“It is our consistency that is making the difference.” Osasuna lead with 21 points, two clear of Barcelona and three ahead of Real Madrid who beat Real Betis 2-0 on Saturday.
Espanyol’s Cameroon keeper Carlos Kameni had a game to forget and was at fault for both Osasuna goals. After 29 minutes, David Lopez’s cross-cum-shot from the right flank seemed to be covered when Kameni caught it under the bar. But the linesman flagged for a goal after Kameni’s momentum appeared to carry him and the ball over the line.
Kameni then air-kicked a harmless ball in his area after 71 minutes, allowing Pierre Webo to collect and square for Inaki Munoz to score.
Fourth-placed Getafe lost 1-0 at Deportivo Coruna, Diego Tristan netting after 25 minutes.
Getafe are level with Celta Vigo on 17 points but have a superior goal difference. Ronaldinho picked out van Bommel’s late run to the edge of the area after 18 minutes and the Dutchman rifled a volley into the corner of the net.
The Brazilian doubled the lead in the 36th minute, playing a one-two with van Bommel before firing a vicious low shot inside the post.
Ronaldinho put the game beyond Sociedad with a free kick from the edge of the area on 60 minutes. Uranga earned his second yellow card before Puyol headed in the fourth goal following a corner. Second-half substitute Larsson made it 5-0 near the end after Silvinho’s cross was allowed to bounce in the area, leaving him free to score at the far post.
Tevez Salvages Point for Brazilian Leaders Corinthians
In Rio de Janeiro, Argentina forward Carlos Tevez converted a second-half penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw for Brazilian championship leaders Corinthians at home to struggling Vasco da Gama on Sunday.
Corinthians, who have 71 points from 35 games, lead by nine points from Internacional, who were at home to Paysandu yesterday.
Vasco, 17th in the 22-team table, went ahead before halftime when fullback Claudemir scored from close range. Visiting defender Fabio Braz was sent off for a second bookable offense on the hour and was followed by Corinthians midfielder Rosinei five minutes later.
Tevez equalized with his 15th goal of the competition, blasting his 70th-minute spot kick into the roof of the net after Nilmar was fouled by Luciano in a seemingly harmless position.
Fluminense moved into third place, level on points with Internacional, when Leandro’s injury-time goal earned a 4-3 win over Ponte Preta. Champions Santos dropped to sixth, 16 points behind Corinthians, after losing 2-1 at home to Cruzeiro. Atletico Mineiro, winners of the inaugural Brazilian championship in 1971, stayed bottom after losing 3-1 at home to Palmeiras, who were down to 10 men when they notched their second and third goals.
Mineiro, with Lori Sandri making his debut as their third coach of the competition, led 1-0 at halftime through Ueslei.
But Palmeiras, who had Alceu sent off in the 62nd minute, hit back after the break with two goals from substitute Washington and a 25-meter drive by Correa.
