Barcelona inspired by Ronaldinho

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MADRID, Spain -- Ronaldinho struck twice as he steered Barcelona to a flattering 3-0 win over Recreativo Huelva at the Nou Camp in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The World Player of the Year gave the champions the lead when he netted from the spot after a controversial penalty award just before the half hour and extended the advantage with a rare headed goal early in the second period.

Barca, who lost their unbeaten league record when they went down 2-0 at arch-rivals Real Madrid last weekend, had struggled until the Brazilian sparked into life in the second half.

But they quickly put the result beyond doubt when midfielder Xavi headed home a third goal on the hour.

Second-placed Valencia slipped to their second defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 in the fog at Racing Santander and finished with 10 men as midfielder Mario Regueiro was sent off for two bookings.

Racing's little and large partnership of Pedro Munitis and Nikola Zigic provided one of the few bright points of an otherwise gloomy game when they manufactured the winner.

Munitis looped a header over Santiago Canizares after giant Serbia striker Zigic nodded on a lofted pass into the area 11 minutes after the break.

The results moved leaders Barca three points clear of Valencia, who dropped a point behind Real, who leapt into second place with a 3-1 victory at Gimnastica.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard has raised concerns about their lack of concentration after losses to Chelsea and Real and they almost conceded a goal in the opening minute against Recre.

Visiting striker Calle beat Carles Puyol to a cross and it took a brilliant one-handed reflex save from Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes to keep the ball out.

The home side lacked fluency and looked shaky at the back but were gifted the lead from the penalty spot after Eidur Gudjohnsen went to ground after former Barca defender Mario touched his shirt.

Ronaldinho blasted his kick high into the net to put the Catalans in front although Barca did little else to deserve their halftime lead.

The Brazilian sparked his team into life after 57 minutes, putting them 2-0 up with a rare headed goal after a great cross from left back Silvinho.

The rest of the team lifted their game in response and three minutes later Xavi added another with a mirror-image third.

This time Juliano Belletti provided the cross from the right and the midfielder finished it off.

Ronaldinho was denied a hat-trick when Recre keeper Betrand Laquait pulled off a fine diving save to turn his curling free kick round the post 16 minutes from time.

Real fell behind to Abel Buades' 30th minute penalty in Tarragona but the Madrid side drew level a minute before half-time through Roberto Carlos.

Five minutes into the second period Ivan Helguera put Real ahead and Robinho added a third five minutes from time.

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