Rivaldo inspires Barcelona

Rivaldo hit a spectacular hat-trick to earn Barcelona a place in the Champions' League qualifying rounds and ensure that Hector Cuper's reign as Valencia coach ended in misery.

The Brazilian's winner, an overhead kick on 89 minutes which will go down as one of the greatest goals ever to be scored in the Nou Camp, meant that Valencia, who have reached the Champions' League final for the past two years, were forced to settle for a Uefa Cup place.

Two Ruben Baraja headers looked to have earned Cuper's side a point, but after Frank de Boer floated a ball to Rivaldo on the edge of the penalty area the Brazilian took the ball on his chest and gave himself time to move into position before releasing a ferocious volley that Santiago Canizares was never going to get near.

The former World Player of the Year had fired in a terrific free-kick after just two minutes and then a low drive three minutes before half-time to put Barcelona ahead.

For his first, Valencia conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal, slightly to the right of centre, and Rivaldo stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and in off the post. Three minutes before the interval, he collected the ball among a huddle of players and unleashed a low shot from 20 yards. It was his 22nd goal of the league season.

Real Oviedo were relegated from the First Division after a 4-2 defeat at Real Mallorca. Also relegated were Numancia and Racing Santander. Atletico Madrid missed out on promotion back to the First Division yesterday as Real Betis and Tenerife both got the away wins they needed to join Sevilla back in the top flight.