Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory over Spanish rivals and La Liga champions Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly held in the United States.
The match, played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, saw Barcelona’s 22-year-old forward Pau Victor score twice, leading his team to victory in the first El Clasico of the season.
Storm Delays the Action
The match was interrupted just 12 minutes in due to a heavy storm, causing a delay of over an hour before play could resume.
Despite the weather disruption, both teams continued to compete fiercely once the game restarted.
Barcelona took the lead just before half-time when Robert Lewandowski delivered a ball into the box, which Victor expertly headed into the net.
The young forward’s goal put Barcelona ahead as the teams went into the break.
Victor Doubles Barcelona’s Lead
Shortly after the second half began, Victor found the back of the net again, doubling Barcelona’s lead.
His second goal came after Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a good save from Lewandowski’s shot, but Victor was quick to capitalize on the rebound.
Real Madrid managed to pull one back late in the game when Nico Paz headed in a goal, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit. Barcelona held on to their lead, securing a morale-boosting win over their arch-rivals.
Victor’s Impressive Form Continues
Victor’s brace against Real Madrid brings his tally to three goals during Barcelona’s tour of the United States.
He had previously scored in a 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City earlier in the week. His performances have caught the eye, showcasing his potential as a key player for Barcelona this season.
Ancelotti Not Worried About Defeats
This defeat marks Real Madrid’s second loss during their U.S. tour, following a 1-0 loss to AC Milan last week.
Despite the back-to-back losses, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti remains unconcerned.
Ancelotti emphasized that the primary focus of these pre-season games is to give players match experience and to prepare them physically for the upcoming season.
Vinicius Jr made his first appearance of the summer for Real Madrid and showed promising form.
However, Ancelotti pointed out that the team is still missing eight players who are gradually returning from international duty.
“We’re not worried. It’s a pre-season game, and the result is not so important,” Ancelotti stated. “The objective is for players to get minutes and to get them in good shape.
We’re not focusing on tactical aspects. That starts on the seventh [of August].”
What’s Next?
Real Madrid will next face Premier League side Chelsea on August 6th in North Carolina as they continue their pre-season preparations.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will be looking to build on their momentum as they gear up for the start of the new La Liga season.
