Riyad Mahrez’s strike from the spot in the 99th minute earned Manchester City a 3-3 draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. The charity match, in the honour of all those suffering from ALS, including former Barca player and coach Juan Carlos Unzué, saw a grand attendance of 91,062.
The match looked sealed when it went into extra-time. Barcelona were leading 2-1. However, a penalty was conceded by Barca keeper Andreas Christensen. Mahrez, calm from the spot, scored.
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The honorary kickoff was taken by Juan Carlos Unzué, the former Barcelona goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach who has the disease and helped promote the friendly.
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“We want to continue living and enjoying life,” he said before the match.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay scored for the hosts. Man City got goals from Julián Álvarez, Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez deep into stoppage time.
Man City defender Luke Mbete had to be substituted late in the game after a clash of heads with Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen. Mbete had to be immobilized and carried out on a stretcher.
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Barcelona 3 (Aubameyang 29’, de Jong 66’, Depay 78’) drew against Manchester City (Alvarez 21, Palmer 70’, Mahrez 90+9’)
“Barcelona have signed top, top players. They have a lot of squad depth now. And they have Xavi, who knows a lot about football. He will do a spectacular job, I am sure about it. I wish him all the best,” Guardiola said after the match.
BARCELONA
Starting XI: Peña; Roberto, Koundé, Piqué, Alba; Kessie, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Aubameyang, Ferran (4-3-3)
Substitutes: Ter Stegen (GK), Tenas (GK), Araujo, Christensen, Eric, Dest, Balde, Pjanic, Pedri, Gavi, Torre, Dembélé, Ez Abde, Ansu Fati, Memphis, Lewandowski
MANCHESTER CITY
Starting XI: Ortega; Lewis, Walker, Dias, Gómez; Bernardo, Phillips, Palmer; Mahrez, Álvarez, Foden (4-3-3)
Substitutes: Ederson (GK), Carson (GK), Stones, Mbete, Cancelo, Wilson-Esbrand, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bobb, Knight, Haaland