Madrid, August 29 :

Substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen scored a spectacular goal 15 minutes into his Spanish league debut to help defending champion FC Barcelona edge Celta Vigo 3-2 in its first match of the season on Monday.

The former Chelsea forward, who replaced Ludovic Giuly in the 73rd minute, controlled Deco’s floated pass on his chest, lifted the ball over Celta defender Angel Lopez, and volleyed his team’s last-gasp winning goal.

Barcelona, lacking injured Ronaldinho at Celta’s Balaidos stadium, had made a poor start when Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano scored in the 42nd minute after Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes parried a shot by midfielder Nene.

Samuel Eto’o, the league’s top scorer last season with 26 goals, equalized from close range in the 56th minute with a low shot after playing a wall pass with Argentine teenager Lionel Messi. Messi gave Barcelona the lead four minutes later when he turned and drove home from just inside the penalty area after a strong forward burst and pass by teammate Andres Iniesta.

However, Celta bounced back to level in the 65th after Baiano and Barcelona captain Carles Puyol collided, leaving forward Gustavo Lopez free to clip home Angel Lopez’s floated free kick from the left.

The match was postponed to Monday because Barcelona played for the European Super Cup against Sevilla on Friday.

Premiership :

LONDON: Portsmouth moved into second place in the English Premier League on beating Middlesbrough 4-0 behind two goals from Kwankwo Kanu on Monday. The south coast club improved to seven points in three games, just two behind league-leading Manchester United.

Kanu made it 1-0 in the seventh minute, and Benjani Mwaruwari doubled the lead in the 50th. Kanu got his second seven minutes later. Svetoslav Todorov scored the final goal in second half injury time.

Middlesbrough, which upset Chelsea 2-1 five days earlier, posed almost no threat at the Riverside Stadium heading early to the exit gates.