Giovani helps Barça end on a high
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Article summary
A hat-trick from Giovani Dos Santos helped FC Barcelona to a 5-3 victory at already-relegated Real Murcia CF in the final game of their Primera División season.
Article top media content

Article body
A hat-trick from Giovani Dos Santos helped FC Barcelona to a 5-3 victory at already-relegated Real Murcia CF in the final game of their Primera División season.
Goal glut
The home side took a 17th-minute lead when Juan Cruz Ochoa flicked in a header from a corner. However, going behind spurred Barcelona into action and they hit back with three goals in nine minutes. First, Thierry Henry played a sharp one-two with Lionel Messi before crossing for Samuel Eto'o to turn in adeptly at the near-post. Then, in the 26th minute, Henry scored himself beating goalkeeper Antonio Notario to a through ball before finishing into the empty net. Seven minutes later it was 3-1 as Eto'o latched on to Eidur Gudjohnsen's defence-splitting pass before unselfishly off-loading for Giovani to get his first.
Giovani treble
The goals continued to come after the break as the 19-year-old Mexican international finished off a flowing move by chipping Notario from the edge of the box. With 66 minutes gone, he added his third curling a beautiful effort into the top corner. Murcia staged a mini-fightback in the last ten minutes, Iván Alonso converting a penalty and Abel Gómez scoring direct from a free-kick, but it was not enough to alter the outcome of the match. Barça will enter next year's UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round.