Samuel Eto’o scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season and FC Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 2-0 on Tuesday to take a five-point lead in the Spanish League standings.
Eto’o, who finished third behind teammate Ronaldinho in voting for Fifa’s World Player of the Year award on Monday, scored in the 38th and 57th minutes of the defending champion’s final game of a highly successful 2005.
The victory at Camp Nou Stadium extended Barcelona’s club record winning streak to 13 games in the league and European Champions League, outscoring opponents 39-5.
Frank Rijkaard’s team have 40 points from 17 games, while Osasuna have 35. Real Madrid, Villarreal, Deportivo la Coruna and Valencia have 29 points each.
Wednesday’s matches have Madrid vs Racing Santander, Malaga vs Villarreal, Deportivo vs Espanyol, Valencia vs Mallorca, Getafe vs Sevilla, Real Sociedad vs Cadiz, Zaragoza vs Athletic Bilbao, and Real Betis vs Alaves.
On Thursday, Osasuna host Atletico Madrid.
Just before kick-off, Ronaldinho held aloft his World Player trophy before the crowd, while Eto’o also displayed his prize.
Celta striker Fernando Baiano hit the post with a shot from a narrow angle in the 33rd minute but, five minutes later, the celebrated pair combined to put Barcelona ahead.
Ronaldinho send a free kick forward to Eto’o, who angled a curling shot out of the reach of Celta goalkeeper Esteban Suarez.
It was the Cameroonian striker’s 50th goal for Barcelona since joining the club in 2004.
Ronaldinho initiated the second goal as well, feeding midfielder Andres Iniesta, who turned to find an unmarked Eto’o.
Celta, who have lost their last three games, stayed eighth with 26 points. — Sapa-AP