A wonder goal by Raphinha decided a much-anticipated preseason edition of El Clasico as Barcelona beat Real Madrid in an electric match in Las Vegas.
The match saw the debuts of summer signings Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) for their respective clubs. Lewandowski Bob Gibson Jersey came close on a couple of occasions before being subbed out at halftime, and Rudiger played at left back, where he contained Raphinha for most of his time on the field.
But Raphinha, Barcelona's new summer signing from Leeds United, still took advantage of a carele s Real Madrid giveaway in the 27th minute to strike a left-footed rocket into the right corner for the goal that held up as the winner. It was Raphinha's second goal in as many preseason games for his new club.
Real Madrid were clearly mi sing their star forward and captain Karim Benzema, who was not part of the matchday squad. He will make his preseason debut in the club's next friendly. Against Barcelona, it was Eden Hazard, and later Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz, filling in as best they could, but the absence of a finisher was glaring. Real Madrid ended the match with no shots on target.
Barcelona are in the midst of a four-game U.S. tour which started with a 6-0 blanking of MLS side Inter Miami three days before.In addition to El Clasico in Las Vegas, Barcelona will play matches against Juventus (July 27) and MLS's New York Red Bulls (July 31). After its traditional preseason Joan Gamper Cup match against Mexico's Pumas UNAM (Aug. 7), Barca will kick off the Spanish La Liga season at home against Rayo Vallecano (Aug. 13).
El Clasico was Real Madrid's first preseason match with their first official competition coming up on Aug. 10 in the UEFA Adam Wainwright Jersey Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt. Their La Liga season opener comes on Aug. 14 away to Almeria. The Real Madrid preseason will be entirely played on U.S. soil with matches against Club America (July 27) and Juventus (July 31) up next.
Lewandowski held scorele s on debutThe Polish international was active and committed to high pre sing for his first 45 minutes in a Barcelona jersey, but he was foiled on his two big chances. First it was Thibaut Courtois and then David Alaba, who blocked his best looks at the net.
Despite the lack of goals, he showed early glimpses of being the world-cla s center forward that Barcelona were mi sing in many matches last season. And Steve Carlton Jersey it was easy to tell that he was not intimidated by the jersey or the occasion of a Clasico, which is what you'd expect of a player who has accomplished what he has.
What will Real Madrid do without Karim Benzema?Mi sing Karim Benzema for any stretch of the season would spell disaster for Real Madrid and the Las Vegas Clasico showed why. Los Merengues were lost in attack without its focal point and finisher, and they don't have anyone who comes close to replacing him, a point that manager .
The failure to land Kylian Mbappe in the summer, only to see their rivals acquire Robert Lewandowski, could come back to haunt Madrid if they don't addre s the forward position before the close of the transfer window. Ancelotti has said that the team will not be making more moves, but the likes of Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz do not project to be the answer.
Thibaut Courtois man of the matchRaphinha had the match-winning play, but he was otherwise fairly anonymous. Pedri covered every blade of gra s and pre sed hard, and Ronaldo Araujo was a beast at right back for Barcelona. Frenkie de Jong deserves a tip of the hat for capably handling center back duties in the second half.
But there's an argument to be made that the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was the standout player of the match even in defeat. He was the only one from either team to go a full 90 and he proved to be the sharpest player on the field for the entirety of the game, making three crucial saves near the end.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid final score1H 2H Final Barcelona101Real Madrid000Goals: BAR Raphinha 27th min.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid live updates, highlights from Las VegasFinal: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0Full-time: Ken Boyer Jersey It was an entertaining, end-to-end match in the first half with Raphinha scoring a goal that was worth the price of admi sion. The second half was choppy Matt Carpenter Jersey with both clubs changing over their lineups, but Barcelona were still the better team on balance and deserved their 1-0 win. Real Madrid didn't have a true forward threat and Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo were mi sing having Karim Benzema to finish off their attacks.
91st min.: And Thibaut Courtois with another stop on a shot from Sergino Dest. The Real Madrid 'keeper has kept three shots (including two by Dembele) from hitting the back of the net.
DEST
FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es)89th min.: Mariano Diaz with a wide-open header chance in the box, but he can't get it on goal. And his hands are on his head because he knew he had the equalizer for Real Madrid.
86th min.: What a save by Thibaut Courtois! Franck Ke sie serves up Ousmane Dembele in transition and the Frenchman's blast is stopped by Courtois. And moments later Courtois denies Dembele a second time! No wonder Carlo Ancelotti hasn't taken him out of this game.
What a save by Courtois!
FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer)Muy cerca del segundo...
FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es)79th min.: The Barcelona bench want a penalty kick, and they're not wrong. This hand ball looks clear. But there's no VAR for this match.
Miaaaau
Pol Alonso (@Polyccio8)72nd min.: What a chance for Barcelona's Franck Ke sie but his shot is right at the 'keeper. Again, it's Barcelona pouring numbers forward and winning the ball in good position.
70th min.: Real Madrid replace the last few starters who were on the field (except for Courtois).
Real Madrid 60th min.:Courtois (GK) Odriozola, Vallejo, Nacho,Mendy Modric, Casemiro, Kroos Ceballos, Asensio, Mariano
69th min.: Every time that Gerard Pique touches the ball, he's getting booed by the crowd. There would seem to be plenty more Real Madrid fans at Allegiant Stadium.
65th min.: Vazquez picks up a yellow card for taking down Memphis Depay Chris Carpenter Jersey on the edge of the box after a terrible decision by Toni Kroos. The free kick leads to a corner and a Sergi Roberto header that doesn'
