Barcelona 2 Werder Bremen 0: Ronaldinho helps Barça to advance

Two first-half goals that came within six minutes of each other secured Barcelona's progression into the knockout stages of the Champions' League last night. Had Barcelona not won they would would have been eliminated from Chelsea's group, Group A.

The Catalans never looked entirely comfortable as Werder Bremen refused to submit but, for all their attacking intent, the Germans could not respond

Barca's first goal came in the 13th minute after Ronaldinho was fouled on the edge of the box. Taking the free-kick himself, the Brazilian fired under the wall - which had leapt into the air en masse, anticipating an aerial effort - and past Tim Wiese's despairing dive into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead soon after. Ronaldinho, receiving the ball on the right after a fluid passing move, chipped the ball to Ludovic Guily, who crossed for Eidur Gudjohnsen to stab the ball home.

Werder had the better of the second half and came close several times, most notably when Daniel Jensen's shot-cum-cross hit the bar and rebounded to safety.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Motta, Iniesta, Deco; Giuly, Gudjohnsen, Ronaldinho. Substitutes: Jorquera, Belletti, Xavi, Edmilson, Ezquerro, Thuram, Oleguer.

Werder Bremen (4-1-2-1-2): Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Wome; Frings; Borowski, Diego; Daniel Jensen; Klose, Hugo Almeida (Klasnic, 70). Substitutes: Reinke, Pasanen, Vranjes, Hunt, Andreasen, Schulz.

Referee: M Busacca (Switzerland).