Barcelona made it three wins from three fixtures on their pre-season tour of North America after recording a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in Saturday night's El Clasico in Florida.
The first 45 minutes produced four goals, with Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic scoring for Barcelona inside the first seven minutes, before Mateo Kovacic and Marco Asensio answered back for Real Madrid.
Gerard Pique sent Barcelona back into the lead early in the second period, however, and the centre-back's close-range finish proved to be the difference in the International Champions Cup fixture.
Read how the action unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening/morning all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida as Real Madrid take on Barcelona in the International Champions Cup. We do not see many 'friendly' El Clasicos, but that is the case here. It is a real treat as the two giants of Spanish football lock horns ahead of the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Stay tuned for all of the coverage!
Right, before we go any further, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Florida. Have Zinedine Zidane and Ernesto Valverde selected their strongest available teams from the start? Does Neymar play amid speculation surrounding his future? All of the questions answered...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kovacic, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Bale
BARCA: Cillessen; Vidal, Umtiti, Pique, Alba; Iniesta, Rakitic, Busquets; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos features for the first time on this pre-season tour as the Spaniard is selected alongside Raphael Varane at centre-back. There is also a spot in midfield for Croatian Mateo Kovacic, while Marco Asensio starts after helping Spain Under-21s reach the final of the Under-21 European Championships earlier this summer. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, is also in the Los Blancos XI.
© Getty Images
As for Barcelona, the standout team news is, of course, the inclusion of Neymar. The Brazilian has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, but he starts for the third time on Barcelona's pre-season tour, and will be looking to add to his three goals. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez also both start, while Aleix Vidal and Samuel Umtiti are given chances to impress at the back.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 50 minutes from kickoff on this warm early evening in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is a beautiful setting for such a fixture, with the American supporters being treated to a pre-season El Clasico. Fitness is the main goal for Real Madrid and Barcelona tonight, but both of these sides will still be desperate to triumph.
🚍😃🏟 #ElClasicoMiami
¡Hola, Hard Rock Stadium!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/OIJar31SVa — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 29, 2017
This match will mark Real Madrid's third fixture since arriving in the United States. The Champions League holders played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, before losing 2-1 to the English giants during a bizarre penalty shootout. Then came a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night as Pep Guardiola got one over on Real Madrid once again.
As for Barcelona, the Spanish giants opened their pre-season tour with a 2-1 victory over Italian champions Juventus last weekend, before recording a 1-0 win over Man United on Wednesday night. The Catalan outfit have been very impressive in their first two matches, with new head coach Ernesto Valverde already seemingly having a positive influence on matters.
In terms of what is ahead for both of these clubs, Real Madrid will bring their pre-season tour of the United States to a close with a clash against the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday night, before returning to Europe to take on Jose Mourinho's Man United in the European Super Cup on August 8.
👕🔵🔴👌
📍 Hard Rock Stadium
🇺🇸 #BarçaUSTour #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/SV33dxAbqt — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 29, 2017
As for Barcelona, this match will mark the last of their pre-season fixtures before returning to Spain to face Brazilian outfit Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 7. It has actually been a very short pre-season for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but they will also lock horns in the Spanish Super Cup before the start of the new La Liga season. More El Clasicos sounds good to me.
Indeed, Real Madrid's La Liga title success and Barcelona's Copa del Rey crown means that the pair will clash in the Spanish Super Cup next month. The first leg of that tie will take place at Camp Nou on August 12, before Real Madrid welcome Barcelona for the second leg on August 15.
Real Madrid will open their La Liga title defence with a trip to Deportivo La Coruna on August 20, while Barcelona's first league game is at home to Real Betis. Real Madrid won the Spanish title by a single point last season, and it is now up to Barcelona to take the crown away from their rivals.
PIC 📸: The Stadium is filling up as kick-off get's closer. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/3MhvChsqqP — SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) July 29, 2017
It has not been an overly busy transfer window for Real Madrid, but the Spanish champions have signed Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos from Atletico Madrid and Real Betis respectively. Meanwhile, Marcos Llorente and Jesus Vallejo have returned from loan spells at Alaves and Frankfurt.
Alvaro Morata, Danilo and James Rodriguez have all left the Bernabeu this summer, however, which suggests that Los Blancos will spend before the transfer window closes at the end of next month. AS Monaco's spectacular teenager Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a world-record move to the Bernabeu, and that would be some deal if the Spanish giants could pull it off.
As for Barcelona, Valverde's side have brought in Nelson Semedo from Benfica, while Gerard Deulofeu has returned from Everton. Neymar continues to be linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the Brazilian starts again tonight, and will be looking to add to his three goals on tour.
📍 Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
🔴🔵 'In our style we trUSt' 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/jGqnopEZ2n — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 29, 2017
Here we go then - both sets of players are in the tunnel with kickoff just around the corner! Tonight will be the least important El Clasico that is played for some time, but both teams will be desperate to win. Let's hope that the Spanish giants serve up a treat in this wonderful setting. Game on!
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off in Florida...
... I am expecting to see a high-tempo first 45 minutes, but that could change after the break when both managers make wholesale changes. Let's just hope for an entertaining game of football.
Neymar has gone down holding his foot inside the opening two minutes here!
Neymar may well have twisted his ankle here, but he should be fit to continue.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Wow! Barcelona make the breakthrough in the third minute of this football match as Messi breaks into the Real Madrid box before finding the back of the net courtesy of a huge deflection off Varane!
Well, Barcelona are running riot at the moment as they continue to boss possession of the football. Real Madrid are struggling to get going at the moment, and Zidane looks a little bit concerned.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (Rakitic)
Oh my goodness! Barcelona double their lead in the seventh minute as Rakitic breaks onto a loose ball on the edge of the Real Madrid box, and sends it into the bottom corner of the net!
Real Madrid simply cannot keep hold of the football at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. The Catalan giants are threatening to run away from this football match. Everything about them is sharper and quicker than Los Blancos at the moment.
CHANCE! Almost three for Barcelona as Suarez finds Rakitic on the edge of the Real Madrid box, but the Croatian's effort is just wide of the post. Real Madrid really need to wake up!
Suarez sends the ball over the Real Madrid crossbar after meeting a clever Messi free kick.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (Kovacic)
It is raining goals! Real Madrid are back in this match as Kovacic finds space just outside the Barcelona box before sending the ball into the far corner of the net. Cillessen had no chance!
There are suggestions that tickets for this match went for massive money, but the supporters are being treated to a brilliant game of football, and we are just 16 minutes into the contest here.
Kovacic is the driving force for Real Madrid at the moment as the Croatian dances his way into the Barcelona box, but Vidal is on hand to make a smart challenge. Neymar then carries the ball clear down the left, but the Brazilian is forced inside, and eventually Cillessen has possession.
Just a reminder that both managers are expected to make wholesale changes at the interval, and therefore this match could almost be seen as two different games - the first half, and then the second. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this opening half!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to level as Benzema carries the ball to the edge of the Barcelona box before looking to pick out the corner, but he just misses the post!
Speculative effort from Modric as the Croatian has a go from a central position, but his effort was always rising over the Barcelona crossbar. You cannot take your eyes off this one at the moment.
BOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar, and Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous position...
... Messi strikes his free kick straight into the wall.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Messi feeds Neymar in a wide position. The Brazilian cuts inside before looking to return the favour, but Varane is on hand to make an important clearance. Real Madrid break down the other end with Asensio, but the Spaniard is ruled to be offside.
Alba goes down with what looks to be cramp, but he does return to his feet.
It must be said that the opening 30 minutes of this football match have absolutely flown past. Barcelona took a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes, but Kovacic put Real Madrid back in the argument with a sweet strike in the 14th minute. Since then, both teams have shared possession of the football.
CHANCE! Just a whisker wide from Neymar after the Brazilian had turned Varane inside the Real Madrid box. Luis Suarez wanted the pass, but Neymar wanted the shot!
Half-chance for Messi after Iniesta fed the Argentine inside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Real Madrid are all over the place at the back here.
SAVE! Navas has to save from Messi as Real Madrid's defence goes walkabouts!
Benzema and Asensio both look to meet a low cross from Carvajal, but the power is too much.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and somehow this game is still 2-1. It could have been 5-3 Barcelona at this stage of the match, with Real Madrid's defence wide open. Los Blancos have also passed up a couple of good chances to add to Kovacic's 14th-minute goal.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona (Asensio)
What a wonderful goal. Real Madrid level the scores in the 36th minute as Asensio leads a counter-attack before finishing it with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner. It was Kovacic's pass that released the Spaniard, and he gave Cillessen the eyes before finding the bottom corner of the net.
Both managers may well send out completely new XIs for the second period, so we should enjoy the final moments of this opening 45 minutes! It has been wonderful stuff at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Bit of possession for Barcelona as Real Madrid drop into a defensive shape here.
We have not seen an awful lot from Bale in this first period, which is strange considering that Real Madrid are operating on the counter-attack. Instead it has been Asensio impressing in a forward area. Down the other end, Messi, Suarez and Neymar have all been involved for Barcelona.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid and Barcelona playing out a 2-2 draw in the opening 45 minutes. Barcelona stormed into a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes courtesy of goals from Messi and Rakitic, but Kovacic halved the deficit in the 14th minute, before Asensio equalised in the 36th minute. What a brilliant half of action from Miami, Florida.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which were on target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, hit the target with just two of their four attempts. There has also been one yellow card - Varane for a late challenge on Neymar, who has been heavily involved, as always, in the opening 45 minutes at the Hard Rock Stadium.
BENCH WATCH! Alena, Digne, Munir, Alcacer, Roberto, Semedo, Denis Suarez and Turan are all expected to come off the Barcelona bench at the interval, or early in the second period. As for Real Madrid, Toni Kroos is not expected to feature tonight due to a slight injury problem, but the likes of Isco, Nacho, Theo Hernandez, Marcos Llorente and new signing Dani Ceballos should get some minutes.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... REAL MADRID SUBS! Isco, Vallejo and Lucas Vasquez have replaced Asensio, Ramos and Modric.
BARCELONA SUB! Roberto has replaced Iniesta for Barcelona.
I must say that I expected both managers to make wholesale changes at the break, but just the one alteration for Barcelona, while Real Madrid have changed just the three. Hopefully the tempo remains!
Casemiro just cannot handle Neymar at the moment as the Barcelona forward dances clear, and the Real Madrid midfielder brings his fellow Brazilian to the deck with a rash challenge.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona (Pique)
Barcelona regain the lead early in the second period as Pique turns a Neymar free kick into the back of the net from close range. Super finish from Pique, and Barcelona lead once again.
I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight, especially with both teams committing numbers in the final third of the field. It really has been a wonderful game of football.
Half-chance for Bale as the Welshman finds a yard of space just inside the Barcelona box, but the angle was narrowing, and the attacker's effort was always moving wide of the post.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to score a fourth as Neymar drives into the Real Madrid box before rounding Navas, but he somehow fires the ball wide of the post!
Neymar misses the crossbar with a powerful effort after a smart flick from Roberto. Real Madrid are just struggling to get going at the moment as Barcelona enjoy possession of the football.
SAVE! Cillessen gets down well to keep out a low Marcelo effort.
OFF-THE-LINE! Umtiti has one cleared off the line as Barcelona threaten again.
SAVE! Super save from Cillessen to keep out a powerful Isco drive!
BOOKINGS! Suarez (Barcelona) and Carvajal (Real Madrid) are both booked following a collision. That is now three yellow cards in this Clasico.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. The referee is also getting a little bit shirty here due to the number of late challenges!
BARCELONA SUBS! Semedo, Vermaelen, Alcacer and Denis Suarez replace Messi, Luis Suarez, Umtiti and Vidal.
Kovacic has a pop from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It is still a very open game, and I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.
SAVE! Smart save from Cillessen to keep out Bale from a wide position.
Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining, and Barcelona still hold a 3-2 lead in this pre-season fixture. Real Madrid are really threatening, however, as they continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Both managers are expected to make more changes in the latter stages here.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Denis Suarez finds space inside the Real Madrid box before looking to slide a pass into Alcacer, but Vallejo is across to make a really smart clearance.
Carvajal has a problem for Real Madrid after going down inside his own box.
BARCELONA SUBS! Mascherano, Samper, Alena and Digne have all come off the Barcelona bench, with Rakitic, Neymar and Alba among those to depart. Real Madrid also preparing changes...
... REAL MADRID SUBS! Dani Ceballos and Theo Hernandez are among those to come off the Real Madrid bench as a number of white shirts flood onto the field.
BOOKING! Samper (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Hernandez.
SAVE! Stunning save from Cillessen as the Netherlands international keeps out a swerving Isco strike, which looked to be finding the bottom corner. Excellent work from Cillessen!
Will we have another goal in El Clasico? Both teams are still committing players forward, but there is no question that the tempo has dropped since wholesale changes were made here.
CLOSE! Ceballos sends one just wide of Cillessen's post!
Half-chance for Barcelona as Alena finds space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is just deflected over the crossbar after smart defending from Vallejo. Just a reminder that we will have a penalty shootout if this finishes level, but Real Madrid have work to do for that to occur!
Bit of possession for Real Madrid as we approach the final stages of this match.
We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 3-2 victory in the first El Clasico in North America. Pique's close-range finish proved to be decisive after both teams scored twice in a brilliant first period. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage of the action once again. Until next time!
