A stunning goal by Barcelona new signing Raphinha decided a much-anticipated preseason edition of El Clasico as the Catalonians beat their rival 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 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.
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But Raphinha, Barcelona’s new summer signing from Leeds United, still took advantage of a careless 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 missing 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 US 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).