A-League All Stars 2–3 FC Barcelona: On top down under

FC Barcelona’s first ever trip to Australia has been a resounding success. A huge crowd at the Accor Stadium, Sydney was treated to a fabulous game of football that saw the lead change hands twice, and the visitors eventually seeing off the A-League All Stars 3-2.

Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring, but two quick goals from the home side saw the Catalans trailing after the break before Adama Traoré and Ansu Fati settled things at the other end.

The game brings the curtain down on an eventful season at Barça, with July 4 being cited as the day when the bulk of the players will be due to report back for the 2022/23 preseason.

Dembélé opener

Alejandro Balde and Álvaro Sanz were the only B team players in a strong starting XI, with Samuel Umtiti getting his first start for some time in the middle of the defence.

Balde was among the more active players in the first half, with Gavi and Dembélé also getting chances as Barça generally dominated in every aspect.

And it was the latter pair who combined to give Barça a deserved lead on 34 minutes, the former supplying the pass and the latter slotting it neatly home at the far post to finally beat the impressive Polish keeper Filip Kurto.

All Star turnaround

But although the Catalans looked more than in control at the interval, the All Stars needed just seven minutes to turn the game around after the restart.

On for Ter Stegen to play his first ever game for the first team, Arnau Tenas was quickly called upon to make a fine save. But in the goalmouth scramble that followed, Reno Piscopo managed to get the ball across the line.

A matter of minutes later, Adama Traoré scored. But not the one wearing blaugrana. The Ivorian international who shares the same name as the Barça winger was on the end of a well-worked counter-attack and the Aussies were suddenly on top.

Barça back in front

It was developing into a very entertaining game indeed and Garang Kuol could easily have extended the All Stars’ lead before Adama Traoré, and this time the ‘right’ one, got Barça back level with an absolute rocket of a shot that was too hot for the hands of replacement keeper Andrew Redmayne.

Xavi sent on midfielder Antonio Aranda for his Barça debut and the 21-year-old very nearly capped a terrific run with a goal, but instead it was another substitute, Ansu Fati who curled in the killer blow.

It was almost Fati’s first touch of the ball after coming on and Barça were now back in the lead.

Although the vast majority of the near sell-out crowd were clearly Barça fans, they were just as ready to express their fondness for their fellow countrymen, and there was much excitement as the All Stars pushed for a late equaliser.

They almost got it when Kuol struck the post and Tenas made a fine save on the rebound.

And so ended the game, and also Barça’s season. It had been a long journey, but it had been well worth every mile of it. The Australian fans could go home in the knowledge that they had been treated to a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes of football.