How Barca taught Sundowns a lesson
JOHANNESBURG – It was always a case of how Barcelona will beat Mamelodi Sundowns and not if.
Sport's soccer Writer Mihlali Baleka picked the key moments of last night’s friendly international a the FNB Stadium
First Half
3’ Goal - Ousmane Dembele puts Barcelona ahead with a sweetly struck curling ball that leaves Denis Onyango clutching on thin air. Bangaly Soumaro, unmarked in the Sundowns defence, inexplicably passes the ball straight to the Ivorian international who does not need a second invitation.
12’ A glorious chance for Percy Tau to equalise goes begging after the Sundowns star finds himself one-on-one with Ter Stegen but tries a clever chip in vain when a low shot to eigeht side of the keeper would have done the trick.
18’ It’s 2-0. Luis Suarez slots home the second after a brilliant team move by Barca with Denis Suarez setting the Uruguayan up.
23’ Denis Onyango produced a magnificent save to deny Suarez his second goal
29’ Hlompo Kekana comes to Sundowns’ rescue as he clears Dembele’s shot off-the-line.
33’A Kekana thunderbolt forces Stegen into producing a great save for a corner.
Half-Time Sundowns 0 Barcelona 2
47’ The crowd are up on their feet and roar “Messi, Messi”in an effort to force Barca to introduce the little Argentine magician.
58’ Tau wastes a good chance after again being sent through free on goal.
65’ Goal - Messi finally goes for his warm-ups and the stadium goes wild with excitement and the distracted Sundowns players allow Barca a third through Andre Gomes.
75’ Goal - Sibusiso Vilakazi beats the offside trap to meet Tau’s pass and slots home Sundownsç consolation goal and Barca players protest in vain.
84’ Messi magic as Leo dazzles Sundowns’ defence with ease.
85’ Tebogo Langerman opts to pass when shooting for goal looked the best option.
90+4 Final whistle - Sundowns 1 Barcelona 3
@Mihlalibaleka
The Star