Barça Legends 2-1 Real Madrid Leyendas: Last gasp El Clásico win
Victory for the Barça Legends against Real Madrid Leyendas! The blaugranes ran out 2-1 winners after goals by Saviola and Fernando Sanz (own goal). There was also the notable addition of Andrés Iniesta to the squad, who received a tribute at the end of the game after his recent retirement from professional football.
Blaugranes press for the opener
The blaugranes set the tone for the game early on, Albert Ferrer's side pressing the all-whites at the back to create the first chances of the game. The two most notable inclusions in the Barça Legends squad, Xavi and Iniesta, were in the engine room, while Rivaldo sprinkled the magic and Barjuan raided down the left to cause the all-whites problems. Despite being in control, the goal wouldn't come. Saviola was put through one-on-one by a gorgeous Iniesta pass after 15 minutes, but Casillas was alive to it and cleared the ball.
First goal of the game
It took until the 31st minute, but the blaugranes broke the deadlock. Mendieta regained possession before Xavi Hernández's delightful pass set Giuly free inside the area. The Frenchman teed up an easy chance for Saviola, who finished past Casillas to make it 1-0 at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo in front of 45,725 spectators.
Camacho's side continued to sit back, although there were a couple of dangerous counterattacks led by Julio Baptista. One of them was stopped superbly by Rafa Márquez, and it was both the Mexican and Xavi who tried to extend the lead with long shots just before the break, both efforts whistling past the post.
Continued control
More of the same at the start of the second half. Rivaldo had a chance from a great cross from the right, and both Mendieta and Saviola tried with shots from outside the area. The all-whites were playing on the counterattack, but the blaugranes managed to thwart their attempts and catch them offside on several occasions. Then came the substitutions as is the norm with these games, Guzmán, Nolito and Trashorras first entering the pitch for Barça Legends, with Ferrón joining in later.
All-whites draw level
Despite the fresh legs, Real Madrid Leyendas continued to grow into the game, largely due to their own substitutes. Second-half sub Edwin Congo showed most attacking threat for the all-whites, including hitting the post after a one-on-one with Guzmán in the 69th minute. The game was back and forth during the final quarter of the match, and after Rafa Márquez collided with Congo, the resulting penalty was dispatched by Balboa to tie up the game (1-1, min 78).
Last gasp victory
The blaugranes didn't seem to want the game to go to penalties, though, and kept pressing for the winner until the end, with Giuly arriving twice from the right and a powerful Nolito shot hitting the bar. However, just when a draw seemed the likely outcome, Iniesta's dangerous cross was turned into his own net by Fernando Sanz (2-1, min 90 +3) to give the Barça Legends the win!
Match stats
BARÇA LEGENDS 2
REAL MADRID LEYENDAS 1
Barça Legends: Angoy, Dehu, Márquez, Barjuan, Navarro, Hernández, Iniesta, Mendieta, Saviola, Rivaldo, and Giuly. Guzmán, Ferrón, Valiente, Trashorras and Nolito also played.
Real Madrid Leyendas: Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Campo, Cannavaro, Bravo, Sanz, Milla, Baptista, McManaman, Karembeu, and Savio. Tébar, Congo, Amavisca, Contreras, Agus, Munitis and Balboa also played.
Goals: Saviola, 1-0 (min 31); Balboa, 1-1 (min 78); 2-1, Fernando Sanz (og.) (min 90+3).
Referee: Masaaki Iemoto.