Barcelona emerged victorious over Real Madrid in New York, securing a 2-1 win thanks to two goals from the prolific Pau Victor, following a one-hour delay caused by a thunderstorm during the first half.
The victory boosts confidence for Hansi Flick’s squad, who previously defeated Manchester City in a penalty shootout last week. In contrast, Real Madrid has faced back-to-back losses in their U.S. tour, including a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan earlier in the week.
Despite the delay, the excitement among the 82,154 fans at MetLife Stadium remained high, with chants of “Yes we can” echoing through the venue as they sought shelter from the rain.
Victor opened the scoring for Barcelona just before half-time and then added a second goal shortly after the break. Real Madrid’s Nico Paz managed to pull one back with eight minutes left on the clock.
Among the highlights of the match was a standout performance from young midfielder Paz, who replaced the injured Endrick. The 19-year-old, a promising talent from Real Madrid’s youth academy, scored a diving header, capping off a strong week of training.
“I saw there was a lot of space at the far post and I went for it,” Paz reflected after the match. His recent performances, including a critical role in a Champions League victory against Napoli, have shown his potential to step up to the first team, though there are mixed feelings among club officials about his starting prospects.
On the other hand, Pau Victor is making a compelling case for a place in Flick’s lineup. The young forward was Barcelona B’s top scorer last season and has carried that form into pre-season, having now netted three goals in two matches. His relentless style and ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates mark him as a player to watch.
In terms of leadership, Vinicius Junior stood out for Madrid, despite not starting the match. After coming on in the second half, he showcased his attacking prowess but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Barcelona’s impressive performance throughout the match underscored a noticeable maturation among their younger players, who rose to the occasion in front of a predominantly Madrid-supporting crowd. The young squad’s ability to manage pressure signals a promising development as they prepare for the upcoming season.