Big Fight Breaks Out in ‘Friendly’ El Clasico, Barcelona Feels Low Madrid, Real 3-0

In a hotly fought friendly encounter on Saturday, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-0 thanks to early goals from Ousmane Dembele and late strikes from Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres.

The outcome was unfair to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, who had five attempts at the woodwork and other chances. But Barcelona, the champions of Spain, won because of their more precise finishing.

Despite being a preseason warm-up, the game was played with all the intensity and devotion of a true derby in front of a full AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Oriel Romeu’s thunderous shot that rocked the Real crossbar in the fourth minute quickly had the crowd up and cheering, but Barca’s supporters soon had them dancing.

Pedri skillfully maneuvered a free kick into Dembele’s path, who calmly hammered the ball into the far corner.

Five minutes later, when Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo handled the ball in the area, Real had a fantastic opportunity to tie the game, but Vinicius Junior mishit the penalty kick.

With a free kick that was soaring into the top corner, Rodrygo next pushed Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a superb full-length save.

Vinicius’ shot against the crossbar and Jude Bellingham’s header off the post by the midfielder, who outjumped ter Stegen, prevented Real from scoring once more.

Dembele had an opportunity at the other end when Ferland Mendy’s error enabled him to go through on goal, but Thibaut Courtois stopped the French forward’s weak attempt with ease.

Halftime undoubtedly came as a comfort to American referee Allen Chapman when tempers rose after a sliding tackle from behind by Frenkie de Jong on Eder Militao, with players from both sides scuffling on the halfway line.

After the interval, Aurelien Tchouameni fired against the crossbar while Vinicius continued to harass from the left, shoving a shot just wide from a tight angle.

Despite several substitutes, neither team eased up, but Barcelona’s finishing was the difference as replacement Fermin Lopez made it 2-0 in the 85th minute with a spectacular shot from beyond the box after being set up by Sergi Roberto.

Vinicius somehow hit the crossbar twice with his effort from a tight angle after a jinking move in from the left, giving Barca the victory in stoppage time.

Ferran Torres sprinted onto a lofted pass from Lopez, raised the ball over Courtois as he approached, then turned and slid the ball into the open goal with excellent awareness and balance.

– Things might have gone differently

The scoreline, according to Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, was flattering to his squad.

He remarked, “We shouldn’t be overconfident. The outcome might have been different, the result is a little deceiving, Madrid also had several opportunities.

Although the outcome is really good, we didn’t play a terrific match. Numerous things need to be improved. It was a highly competitive game, and Madrid had plenty of opportunities,” he remarked.

In addition, Xavi doubted that he had adequate depth for the following season.

“I believe Madrid has a lot stronger team than we have. They had numerous players in the midfield who were both physically and technically skilled, and they had a broad variety of options when they were pulling guys out towards the conclusion of the game, he added.

We made an effort to play and impose our game, and in many instances we were successful. I am happy with how we competed, and there were numerous times when we seemed to be the team we aspire to be,” he remarked.

A number of things delighted Ancelotti, who also downplayed the final result.

“The outcome is not the most crucial factor. Ancelotti stated, “It stings to lose, but I’ll cherish the positive things we accomplished.

We played with terrific vigor, but many of our opportunities fell short. that’s really uncommon to see five (against the woodwork) in a game; I don’t believe that has ever occurred to me. But if it occurs during preseason, excellent, the Italian said.