Not a bad way to score your first El Clasico goal
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly clash in the early hours of Sunday morning thanks to a stunning strike from new signing Raphinha.
The two LaLiga clubs met in Las Vegas for the first El Clasico of the season, and – in typical fashion – it was a heated affair, despite it only being pre-season.
Both sets of players clashed in the first half after Madrid starlet Vinicius Jr. was dragged down by Barcelona defender Jordi Alba.
Se puso bueno el Boca – River de Las Vegas
— RØSELIBÁN (@Rosell___) July 24, 2022
Despite the brief altercation, it was another Brazilian who decided the outcome of the match, with Raphinha – who signed for the Catalan giants from Leeds United this summer – scoring a wondergoal.
The 25-year-old picked the ball up following a rushed Madrid clearance, before taking a touch and unleashing a stunning strike with his left foot.
Raphinha has really leathered that hasn’t he 🚀 pic.twitter.com/lntMLdTRU2
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 24, 2022
It was Raphinha’s second goal since arriving at the Camp Nou, with the Brazilian joining in a £55 million deal from the Premier League club.
Barcelona have added Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie to their ranks this summer. Understandably, given their devastating attacking options, manager Xavi is excited by his forward players.
Speaking after the match, he said: “You have already seen Raphinha show that he is capable of making a difference, very dynamic, he can play on both wings.
“And Robert [Lewandowski] is a world star. A world star who comes with tremendous humility, who comes to help us and who has adapted very quickly.
“The truth is, I am very happy with these two incorporations that at the same time give a lot of competition to the people at the top and thus we will all have to work even harder.”
Despite and underwhelming start to last season, Barcelona finished in LaLiga, 13 points behind rivals Madrid.
Related links:
- Barcelona ease financial concerns by selling further 15% of TV rights
- Barcelona unable to print Lewandowski shirts after running out of ‘W’s’
- Bayern Munich boss takes aim at Barcelona’s transfer policy after Lewandowski transfer
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