Barcelona draws 0-0 with Real Sociedad
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-29 11:42

Spanish champion FC Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad on Saturday in its final league match of the season.

Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o from Cameroon, center, talks with his teammate Jose Edmilson from Brazil, left, during their last Spanish League soccer match of the season against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, Spain, Saturday, May 28, 2005. The match ended in 0-0 draw. [AP]

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o had four goal-scoring opportunities, however, twice hitting the side netting and twice thwarted by Sociedad goalkeeper Asier Del Riesgo.

Defender Oleguer Presas nearly gave Sociedad the lead in the 15th when he headed the ball off his own bar.

Barcelona finished its season with 84 points.

"There weren't many chances but my team was very well organized and did its job. With a little more aggressiveness we could have scored a goal or two," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was quoted as saying by news agency Efe.

In Saturday's other game, Real Madrid concluded a disappointing season by beating Zaragoza 3-1 on goals by Michael Owen, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo.

Madrid, which hasn't won a major trophy in two years, finished in second place with 80 points and a 10-match unbeaten streak.

"Real Madrid always wants to win. We were in three competitions - the league, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey - and we didn't win any. We'll have to wait until next season," Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said.

Owen gave his team a 25th-minute lead at Zaragoza's La Romareda stadium after goalkeeper Luis Garcia had fumbled Zinedine Zidane's low shot. The goal was the English striker's 13th of the season.

Zaragoza leveled in the 44th when midfielder Oscar Gonzalez exchanged passes with striker David Villa before firing a rising shot from close range.

Owen, who with David Beckham were to join England for its match Tuesday against Colombia in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was replaced by Luis Figo at halftime. Figo had been omitted from the starting lineup for the eighth straight match even though Beckham was unavailable because of suspension.

Roberto Carlos restored Madrid's lead with a low shot in the 53rd following a well-worked move involving Zidane and Raul Gonzalez.

Ronaldo sealed the win in injury time with his 21st goal of the season, taking the ball past Garcia and walking the ball into an empty net.

Spain's remaining two places in next season's Champions League will be decided on Sunday, as will the UEFA Cup berths.

Villarreal and Betis will join Barcelona and Madrid in the Champions League if they win their final matches. Villarreal faces Levante and Betis plays Mallorca.

Sevilla and Espanyol still have hopes if Villarreal and Betis stumble. Sevilla will play Malaga and Espanyol takes on Athletic Bilbao.

Levante and Mallorca will be battling to avoid the final relegation place. Numancia and Albacete already have been relegated.

Sunday's other games are: Racing Santander vs. Albacete; Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe; and Numancia vs. Deportivo La Coru?a.

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