Barcelona vs Celtic. International Champions Cup.
Aviva Stadium.
Sunday 31 July 2016 07:08, UK
Barcelona picked up a 3-1 victory over Celtic in their opening International Champions Cup fixture at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Arda Turan fired the Catalonians ahead before an own goal by Efe Ambrose and a further strike from Munir El Haddadi secured the result before half-time.
The Scottish champions got themselves level just before the half-hour mark thanks to a poor touch from Jose Antonio Martinez that let in the ever-dangerous Leigh Griffths.
But Barcelona saw out the second half as a blonde Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez starred in the Republic of Ireland capital.
Celtic are next in action on Wednesday when they face Astana at Celtic Park in their Champions League third qualifying round second-leg tie, while the La Liga champions face Leicester and Liverpool in their remaining ICC fixtures.
In under a minute, Celtic were testing the Barca defence as Patrick Roberts picked up the ball in acres of space and raced towards Jordi Masip's goal, hitting a delightful curling effort that just fizzed past the post.
The Manchester City loanee was again bamboozling the Barca back line not long after, receiving the ball on the right wing and cutting past no less than three defenders to shoot - but a similar effort to the first also flashed wide.
But Barcelona didn't take long to hit their stride with a fantastic team goal. Aleix Vidal received a delightful pass on the wing from Denis Suarez, slipping the ball through the legs of James Forrest before finding the incoming Turan at the top of the box who beautifully curled his shot into the top corner.
Celtic were back on level terms in the 29th minute after a poor mistake from Martinez, who went to collect a pass from his goalkeeper but his touch was too heavy, allowing a lurking Griffiths to snatch in between the two and slide home.
But his good work was outdone a minute later as Mathieu sent a ball to Juan Camara on the left wing and as his fired in the cross, Ambrose took a touch past Gordon to see Barcelona back ahead, much to the frustration of the right-back.
It was three for Luis Enrique's men before half time as Camara played in Suarez on the left side of the box, allowing the Uruguay international to race towards the by-line before cutting back through Ambrose's legs to find Munir, and the 20-year-old slotted home.
Messi - who looked his ever-impressive self during the opening period - was substituted at half-time and the second 45 minutes was a much quieter affair, although Celtic were again the side to have the first chance of the half as Tomas Rogic let fly from 25 yards but saw the ball go wide.
Suarez could have added a goal to his assist just after the hour mark as Sergi Samper played a delightful ball over the top for him to volley home, but he skewed the effort and was replaced by Enrique in the 65th minute.
Munir could twice have added a fourth for Barcelona, but headed over the crossbar before skying a 25-yard volley into the stands. Stuart Armstrong then tested goalkeeper Jose Aurelio Suarez after being played in by Rogic, but his effort was well saved.
The remainder of the game saw few chances of note, with both sides back in action on Wednesday including Barcelona v Leicester live on Sky Sports 1.
