Barça Beat City in Penalty Shootout Thriller

ORLANDO, Florida — In a match delayed by lightning but electrified by end-to-end action, FC Barcelona and Manchester City played to a 2-2 draw before the Catalans claimed victory in an easier-than-expected penalty shootout at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game, which was Barça’s first of the 2024-25 preseason and kicked off over an hour late, saw early heroics from Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and a crucial goal from Pablo Torre. After a tense second half and a stalemate at full time, it was Robert Lewandowski and Ander Astralaga who took center stage in the ensuing shootout, sealing a 4-1 win for Barça in front of 63,237 fans.

The game, delayed by 80 minutes due to lightning storms scattered throughout central Florida, attracted a sellout crowd that had no qualms about braving the inclement weather to witness a high-stakes preseason clash between two of football's finest sides.

Haaland and Grealish vs Peña

Once the ball was rolling, it was Erling Haaland who had the first chances for Manchester City. However, the Norwegian star found himself repeatedly thwarted, with his best chance coming after 11 minutes, when Peña made an acrobatic goal-line save. Peña was in fine form throughout, also denying a Jack Grealish free kick in the 17th to keep the score level.

Pau Víctor breaks through

The Catalans responded with a chance of their own in the 21st, but Marc Casadó's shot flew high over the bar. Just three minutes later, Barça struck first, with Pau Víctor finishing past Ederson after a well-placed assist from Casadó, putting the blaugranes ahead 1-0.

Peña continued to be a key figure, making another crucial save in the 36th to deny Kalvin Phillips' long-range effort. Manchester City eventually broke through, however, as Joško Gvardiol delivered a precise pass to Nico O'Reilly, who finished with aplomb to level the score at 1-1 in the 39th. 

Pablo Torre's moment

As the first half drew to a close, Pablo Torre, sporting a bandaged left hand, seized his moment, taking a pass from Gerard Martín and firing low past Ederson, restoring Barça's lead at 2-1 heading into the break.

The second half began slowly, with neither side able to find a breakthrough in the first quarter hour. It was Jack Grealish who brought City back level in the 60th, scoring to make it 2-2.

As is typical in preseason friendlies, both teams made a flurry of substitutions, including Robert Lewandowski for Barça. Despite the changes, the scoreboard remained unaltered, with a classic Pep Guardiola directing his City players from the touchline in animated fashion.

Headed for a shootout

In the final minutes, both teams had chances, but neither were able to punch through. The most notable chance came in the first minute of injury time when Lewandowski's breakaway was snuffed out by last-ditch City defending.

With the score level at 2-2 at the final whistle, the game went to a penalty shootout. Barça took an early lead as Lewandowski coolly converted the first penalty and Ander Astralaga saved City's initial attempt. Noah Darvich and Alejandro Balde scored the next two for Barça, while Astralaga continued his heroics by saving City's second penalty. With Barça leading 3-0 in the shootout, City finally put one in the net, but it was too little, too late. Toni Fernández stepped up to seal the victory, making it 4-1 for Barça.