LAS VEGAS, United States —
Raphinha made it
two goals in two matches as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1–0 on Saturday in
their Las Vegas Clasico.
اضافة اعلان
Raphinha, signed from Premier League Leeds United
earlier this month for around $60 million, followed up his debut in a 6–0
thrashing of Inter Miami with the lone goal of the high-profile clash at
Allegiant Stadium, the $1.97 billion, 65,000-seat home of the NFL’s Las Vegas
Raiders.
The Brazilian was perfectly placed to intercept an
ill-advised pass from Real’s
Eder Militao along the top of the area. After one
touch to settle he lashed a left-footed shot over Thibaut Courtois into the top
right corner of the net to put Barcelona up 1–0 in the 27th minute
The fourth edition of the Clasico to be played
outside of Spain — the second ever held in the US — featured all the intensity
of the long rivalry.
Real Madrid, playing their first pre-season
friendly, nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute but Federico Valverde
was denied by the post in the 18th minute, seizing the ball after a poor
clearance by Jordi Alba and blasting a volley from 25 yards out that beat
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen only for the upright to intervene.
Two minutes later it was Barcelona who saw a chance
get away when Eduardo Camavinga lost possession to Pedri in front of Real’s
goal. Pedri found Fati, who pulled Real keeper Thibaut Courtois off his line
but put his shot just wide of the far post.
Overall it was
Barcelona — energized by the debut of
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski after his move from Bayern Munich — who
controlled the tempo in the first half against the reigning Champions League
and La Liga title holders.
The first half
ended on a testy note after Jordi Alba’s sliding tackle on Militao that earned
a yellow card.
Some jawing and shoving escalated, with players
having to step in and separate Madrid newcomer Antonio Rudiger and Barcelona’s
Ronald Araujo.
Lewandowski’s night ended without a goal as he was
departed at the half, replaced by
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as part of a raft
of changes at the midpoint.
Aubameyang had a chance just two minutes into the
second half with a header from the center of the area off a cross by Raphinha
but missed it left.
A back and forth between substitute Marco Asensio
and defender Lucas Vazquez gave Real Madrid a golden opportunity in the 59th
minute, but after Vazquez played the ball back to Asensio in front of goal he
pulled his shot wide.
They pressed
desperately in the closing minutes for an equalizer, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side
clearly missed French star Karim Benzema, who was granted an extended holiday
by the club and sat out the contest after joining up with his teammates in Los
Angeles just days before.
Real Madrid continue their US tour on Tuesday against
Mexico’s
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