Dundee United 0 Barcelona 1: Henry strikes decisive blow as Catalan giants delight Tannadice
Friday, 27 July 2007
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With impeccable timing and a dash of good fortune, Thierry Henry scored a 90th-minute winner on his debut for Barcelona last night as the Spanish side beat Dundee United in their friendly at Tannadice.
In the final minute of an entertaining game, the United defender Darren Dods pulled down Giovanni, allowing the former Arsenal player, on as a second-half substitute, the opportunity to score from the spot. United's debutant keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski saved the first effort but Henry followed up to knock the ball into the net.
The visitors, who have never beaten United in four meetings in European competition, had dominated much of the game. In the 14th minute, Ezquerro casually swept a Xavi cross over the bar from just eight yards. Three minutes later, the Dundee United midfielder Morgaro Gomis fouled Ronaldinho 25 yards from goal and the Brazilian flashed his right-footed free-kick off the outside of the post. Despite playing in second gear at times, Barça continued to dictate the tempo and Samuel Eto'o made a hash of a great chance set up by Iniesta before driving straight at Szamotulski.
Barcelona made seven changes at the break and just 25 seconds into his debut Henry, on for Eto'o, whipped a shot inches past the post from the edge of the box. The Catalan giants appeared to be trying to walk the ball into the net and in another attack, Henry curled his right-footed shot from just inside the box high and wide.
In the 82nd minute, United captain Barry Robson headed in off the post but the home cheers soon died down when the goal was chalked off for a push on Eric Abidal, and the rest belonged to Henry.
