Barcelona Claim International Champions Cup with Classico Victory

Barcelona attracted very first blood against Real Madrid ahead of the new season with a 3-2 success in a pulsating Clasico friendly on Saturday in Miami.

The historic rivals will reunite two times in August in the Spanish Super Mug and also this International Champions Cup suit set the entertainment bar high, with Gerard Pique’s strike settling a fiercely opposed clash.

Madrid were missing Cristiano Ronaldo, still on holiday, but both groups were close to full stamina. Ernesto Valverde, getting a preference of Clasico dramatization early in his career as Barcelona manager, selected Neymar despite speculation swirling over the Brazilian’s future at the club.

Nevertheless, it was solid Lionel Messi who opened the scoring after simply three minutes, defeating Luka Modric and firing residence, with his strike dispersing off Raphael Varane and also beating Keylor Navas.

Barcelona were leading and Ivan Rakitic doubled their lead with a powerful drive when Suarez assisted force Neymar’s reduced cross to the Croatian midfielder on the edge of package.

The sell-out group at the Hard Rock Stadium remained in for a thrilling night as well as Madrid fought their back right into the game with Mateo Kovacic drilling expertly previous Jasper Cillessen from the edge of the area.

Marco Asensio, starting left wing of Real Madrid’s attack in place of Ronaldo, then started as well as finished a lightning break to tie the video game in the 36th minute.

After an extended halftime brake with music, lights and fireworks reveals more comparable to the Super Bowl, the video game restarted at the exact same busy pace.

Pique sent out Barcelona in advance again in the 50th min by snapping house Neymar’s curling free-kick, before the Brazilian missed from close range. Luis Suarez was rejected by Navas as well as Samuel Umtiti had a strike erased the line.

Barcelona were leading as well as established not to allow their lead slip, with Rakitic also squaring up to referee Jair Marrufo as he objected a decision, revealing the risks were much more than for a routine friendly.

It was the first time the groups fulfilled in a pleasant given that 1991 and also only the 2nd time beyond Spain. Offered its success, the spectacle is most likely to be duplicated.