The former Monaco midfielder grabbed the winner late in the first-half after being set-up by Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

Brazilian midfielder Fredson had the first chance of the game after 17 minutes when he fired a powerful shot that was tipped over the bar by Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Six minutes later, Pablo Zabaleta raced down the right flank before sending a low cross to Rufete but his close-range effort was again denied by Valdes.

Unmarked Giuly opened the score one minute before the break when he received Ronaldinho's through pass inside the area before slotting the ball past Espanyol keeper Gorka Iraizoz.

Three minutes after the re-start, Eduardo Costa collected the ball on the edge of the area curled a drive that just went wide.