David Beckham wins back hearts of LA Galaxy fans with world class goal against Barcelona - watch it here
Published 09:44 02/08/09 By By Mirror.co.uk
David Beckham answered his critics with a trademark free kick goal in LA Galaxy's battle with Barcelona last night.
Already the subject of a mixed reception from Galaxy fans for his loan move to Milan, the former Real Madrid midfielder was booed by the predominantly pro-Barcelona crowd virtually every time he touched the ball.
But he won back the hearts of fans with a world class goal in the 45th minute which tied the game at 1-1 but was ultimately not enough - the Spanish team scored the winner in the 67th minute.
See the stunning goal for yourself:
Young Spanish striker Rodriguez gave Barcelona a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when he scored from close range after Lionel Messi's shot was deflected.
Beckham tied it in the 45th minute with a 26-yard free kick that curled into the upper-left corner.
"As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in," Beckham said. "It's like a golfer. When you hit the sweet spot, you know where it's going."
Halftime substitute Suarez scored what proved the winner in the 67th minute as he got behind the defence, took a Sergio Busquets through ball and shot past the goalkeeper.
Beckham said: "It's a night we can all be proud of. It's an experience all of us won't forget."
The crowd was the largest for a football game in the United States since the 1994 World Cup.
"There's going to be the odd reaction from a minority of people but 95 per cent, 97 per cent of the fans have been incredible," Becks added.
