Barcelona claimed the International Champions Cup after prevailing 3-2 in a thrilling Clasico encounter against bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The United States edition of the pre-season tournament went to Barca thanks to Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique in Miami on Saturday amid the growing uncertainty over Neymar's future at Camp Nou.
It was far from a friendly clash at Hard Rock Stadium as Barca and LaLiga-Champions League titleholders Madrid went head-to-head on American soil, the former storming out the blocks.
Goals from Rakitic and Messi put Barca 2-0 up inside seven minutes but Mateo Kovacic reduced the deficit shortly after and Marco Asensio equalised nine minutes before half-time.
Gerard Pique restored Barca's lead in the 50th minute as Barca beat Manchester City to the ICC trophy, while Madrid ended the tournament without a victory.
Sergio Ramos took to the field for the first time during pre-season as Zinedine Zidane named his strongest XI minus the absent Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos, with Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric headlining the side.
Comments