EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-AUGUST 03-06, 2024)-Two global rivals from the Spanish Football(Soccer) League (La Liga) Real Madrid and Barcelona FC, collided in a friendly colossal match with La Barca finishing victorious 2-1, over Real Madrid, on a Saturday's evening rainy day and sold-out match at renowned MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

With the win, Barcelona leads the US series 4-0, over Real Madrid, and the friendly match was part of the annual summer 2024 DirecTV champions tour.

An exciting match from the start to finish despite the 30-minute game suspension after the 12' mark, due to heavy thunderstorm and lightning that sent both teams to their locker-rooms, and the crowd to find shelter within the stadium.

Barcelona took the initiative in their first clear counter-attack when midfielder Pablo Torre through corner kick centered the ball inside the 18, finding forward Victor Pav who headed it to goal but it was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sending almost the Barcelona fans wild in celebration.

Real Madrid answered back with 2-counter attacks within 2' span through the left-side field , when Brahim Diaz sent a perfect pass to Arda Guler inside the penalty box and scored but it was call-off due to an offside call, and a minute later, striker Brahim Diaz shot a left-footed just outside the 18' but it went straight to the hand of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who registered his second sensational save of the game.

After Real Madrid's Endryck Moreira shot wide and missed the target on goal, 
Barcelona opened the score through striker Victor Pav at 40' mark, defender
Alex Valle through the right-side field corner centered a perfect pass inside the 6-yard box to Robert Lewandowski who tap the ball to Pau Victor and score with a header to put Barca in front 1-0, at the half.


The second half resumed on a 5-minute break instead of 15', and Barcelona picked-up where they left-off offensively with  Pau Victor playing protagonist in the next two play and scored his second goal of the game at the 53' mark.

The first counter-attack occurred through left-side field when Pau Victor shot a left-footed to goal from just outside the penalty box sending goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois flying to deflect the ball out of bounce for his third astonishing save of the game.

Two minute later, in another counter-attack through the right-side field, Alex Valle from inside the 18. crossed a pass to Pau Victor who scored with a left-footed for his second goal of the game and put Barca in front 2-0, at 53' mark.

After forward Guille Fernandez barely missed the third goal for Barcelona, Real Madrid found the back of net through midfielder Nicolas Paz who scored with a flying header after he received a conner kick pass from Ardar Guler to cut the deficit 
but time ran out and the game closed out 2-1, in favor of Barcelona over Real Madrid.

Article & Photo by Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated