Football: Barcelona boosted by Rivaldo

Mark Burton
Wednesday 22 September 1999 23:02 BST
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RIVALDO SCORED twice in two minutes and Luis Figo was in inspired form as Barcelona beat Fiorentina 4-2 last night to keep them two-points ahead of Arsenal in Group B of the Champions' League.

The Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo put Barcelona ahead with a right- footed drive from just inside the box in the seventh minute, and Luis Enrique made it 2-0 three minutes later from similar range. In the last 10 minutes of the half, Barca could have turned the match into a rout, but Figo's shot hit the crossbar and then goalkeeper Francesco Toldo kept out the midfielder's header and blocked a shot by Luis Enrique.

Fiorentina came out after the break revitalised and pulled a goal back within six minutes, from a free-kick by Gabriel Batistuta that flew through the wall and deflected off Christian Amoruso. But after Figo was brought down in the 68th minute, Rivaldo put Barca 3-1 up from the penalty spot and added his second two minutes later. Enrico Chiesa scored in the 79th minute for Fiorentina.

In Manchester United's group, Marseilles registered their second victory, beating Croatia Zagreb 2-1. Ibrahima Bakayoko, the former Everton striker, gave the French side a fifth-minute lead and, after Tomo Sokota levelled after 64 minutes. Sebastien Perez won it for Marseilles with a volleyed goal from Stephane Dalmat's cross 13 minutes from time.

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