Barcelona's World Player of the Year Rivaldo struck twice to help the Catalans to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Porto in their Group A match at the Nou Camp last night. The result took Barcelona a point clear at the top on seven points from three matches, one more than Porto on six. Hertha Berlin, who drew 1-1 with Sparta Prague have two points and Sparta one.
Barcelona came from behind to win after Louis van Gaal's side conceded a Mario Jardel header after just four minutes. But they came back strongly to establish a 3-1 lead by half-time with goals from Rivaldo, who is also the European Player of the Year, Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert.
Porto appeared dead and buried but Jardel brought them back into the game with a second header after 79 minutes. Barcelona withstood a late barrage from the Portuguese visitors before Rivaldo struck again with a brilliant solo run and shot to complete the victory in the dying seconds of the game.
Hertha Berlin and Sparta Prague undermined their slim chances of reaching the quarterfinals when they drew 1-1 in a dull draw. Midfielder Sixten Veit struck from close range just before the break to put the Berlin club ahead. But a blunder by Hertha midfielder Dariusz Wosz allowed substitute Horst Siegl to equalise six minutes from time.
The Germans will play the return match away to Sparta next Tuesday without suspended Sebastian Deisler after the 20-year-old Germany midfielder picked up his third yellow card.