Barcelona 3-3 Man City: Late Riyad Mahrez penalty shares spoils in charity friendly
By Tom Gott
Barcelona and Manchester City played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Wednesday's charity friendly at Camp Nou.
The two sides agreed to play this friendly to raise money for The Luzon Foundation, which offers support to those who suffer with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in honour of Juan Carlos Unzue, a former Barcelona player and coach who was diagnosed with the condition two years ago.
Before kick-off, all eyes were on Pep Guardiola's lineup and whether he would include long-time Barcelona target Bernardo Silva in his squad. Pre-game reports had suggested the Portugal international would be dropped, but Silva would go on to start the game in midfield and his name was met with a nice round of applause from the home supporters when it was read out.
Barcelona nearly took the lead just a few minutes in as Jules Kounde, who is still not registered to play in La Liga, fired in a cross which found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose header from six yards out went straight at Stefan Ortega in the City net.
The hosts completely dominated possession in the early stages but a string of offsides from both team prevented the game from finding any real fluidity.
Against the run of play, it was City who took the lead 21 minutes in through Julian Alvarez, who prodded home after Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena dropped a routine cross right at his feet. A nightmare for the young stopper.
Another error, this time from Kounde, nearly gifted City a second. Young midfielder Cole Palmer collected the ball in space but shot when he should have passed, sending his effort over the bar.
Minutes later, Barcelona were level through Aubameyang, whose sweet volley went under Ortega and into the back of the City net.
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The second half began with some excellent chances for City. Alvarez somehow fluffed his effort from close range before seeing his rebound saved as well, and a third effort from Riyad Mahrez eventually flew wide.
City were on top for the opening stages of the second 45, but it was Barcelona who took the lead 66 minutes in. Frenkie de Jong, who enjoyed an excellent game, finished off after Kevin De Bruyne was caught in possession.
Almost immediately after, Alvarez missed the chance to tie things up. Pena saved another shot right into his path, but this time, the young Argentine could not control his effort and sent the ball flying over the bar. Fortunately, City weren't licking their wounds for too long as Palmer tapped in following a Joao Cancelo cross.
Memphis Depay missed a chance to equalise before finally finding the back of the net with ten minutes to go, although the clock ticked well over 90 as play was halted to address a nasty head injury to young City defender Luke Mbete, who was stretchered off the pitch.
With the clock showing 98, City were awarded a penalty as Andreas Christensen clipped the heels of Erling Haaland, and up stepped Mahrez to convert from the spot to ensure this fantastic event ended on a higher note.