Luis Suarez opened the scoring for FC Barcelona in their first game of the pre-season against MLS Champions LA Galaxy, in the International Champions Cup. Sergi Roberto scored the second goal for the Catalan side helping them to a 2-1 win over Galaxy, while Tommy Meyer scored a consolation goal for the home side.
In front of a record crowd at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the treble winners showcased some of their finest footballers, excluding the magical duo of Lionel Messi and Neymar. Manager Luis Enrique, named a reasonably strong starting XI which included only three players from the Champions League finals match against Juventus in Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring for FC Barcelona in controversial circumstances
The Galaxy’s keepers were kept busy for most parts of the game, with Roberto forcing Rowe to make an early save. In the 45th minute Luis Suarez opened the scoring for FC Barcelona, almost in controversial circumstances, as it appeared, that he used his arm to bring the ball down, before volleying it past the goal-keeper. Suarez had pounced to control a looping ball in the box, pushing Galaxy defender Leonardo as he tried to clear the ball.
In the second half, Pique shot straight at the keeper, after a brilliant ball across the goal from Andres Iniesta, before Sergi Roberto doubled his side’s lead with a powerful finish from inside the box, after the defenders had failed to clear the ball. Rafinha later tested Wolverton with an effort, which was parried away by the keeper.
Galaxy midfielder Ariel Lassiter missed the opportunity to score on his debut, as he scuffed two efforts in the latter stages of the match. First he failed to find the back of the net from a tight angle, as he shot across the goal and later, he missed a one-on-one opportunity after latching on to Raul Mendiola’s through ball.
Sandro Ramirez, the substitute for FC Barcelona then hit the post, with Tommy Meyer pulling one back in the first minute of extra time, scoring a powerful header from the first corner of LA Galaxy.
Watch the highlight’s of the match here:
Twitter Reaction to the match between FC Barcelona and LA Galaxy:
Good game to start the preseason. Now let’s keep on working hard!! Amazing to play against you, my friend! pic.twitter.com/GKsBBoGqQV
a Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) July 22, 2015
93.226 people were in attendance to watch the LA Galaxy play Barcelona. 70,288 watched the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/DDurxw55vL a Uber Football Facts (@UberFootbalI) July 22, 2015
What is going on at Barcelona?! pic.twitter.com/EKxzgo6YFN
a GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) July 22, 2015
Gerrard to Suarez: “Hey they are trying to replace you with Ings” https://t.co/XJTHeQ1IWn a Football Vines (@FootballVines) July 22, 2015
Who is the best player? This is Luis Suarez’s answer #tourFCB https://t.co/OdemSlXzty
a FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 22, 2015
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Barcelona vs LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl. #fcblive #Galaxy #fcbarcelona #fcb #timelapse pic.twitter.com/n6tqWC7NHx a Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) July 22, 2015