HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona 3 – 1 Celtic [International Champions Cup]

• 
  

  

  DOWNLOAD 

  As for Celtic, it will have given Brendan Rodgers plenty of food for thought as he prepares his side for their crucial Champions League qualifier with Astana in midweek. He may bot have learnt much about his starting XI, but some of those who appeared as substitutes in the second half - such as Tom Rogic - may well have forced themselves into the first-team reckoning.
  
• Next up for Barca, it’s Leicester City, before they take on Liverpool at Wembley next weekend. As far as results and performances go, this evening’s encounter has provided an excellent warm-up for what is still to come in pre-season. 
• FULL TIME! It’s all over in Dublin, where it has finished Barcelona 3-1 Celtic! All the action occurred during the first-half, with strikes from Arda Turan, Munir and an own goal from Efe Ambrose doing the damage for Luis Enrique’s side, who only conceded due to an error by Jose Martinez.
• 90'

  There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this match...
• 88'

  The match is ebbing towards its conclusion now, with very little sign of a chance - never mind a goal - coming from either side in the final stages.
• 85'

  As for Rodgers, the only change that has really made any impact since the restart has been the introduction of Tom Rogic, who has impressed in an advanced midfield role. He may well have forced himself into the reckoning for a starting berth in midweek.
• 83'

  The game is simply winding down now, with little threat at either end. Barca are still well in control, but the main positive form this result for Enrique will have been able to utilise the majority of his squad, meaning that some of the youngsters have been able to have a good run-out this evening.
• 81'

  Harsh on Celtic, as it seems obvious that Borja Lopez had conceded a corner after a tussle with Allan, but there is nothing doing for the referee. Celtic waste no time in launching another attack, though, but Ciftci can only drag his effort wide.
• 78'

  SubstitutionJosé Antonio Martínez Gil Borja López Menéndez
  Their last switch sees José Martínez, who made that calamitous error that led to Celtic's goal, replaced by Borja López.
• 78'

  SubstitutionEmilio Arturo Izaguirre Girón Darnell Fisher
  There has also been another switch for Celtic, with Emilio Izaguirre making way for Darnell Fisher.
• 77'

  SubstitutionMunir El Haddadi Mohamed Gerard Gumbau Garriga
  Another Barca substitution sees Munir make way for Gerard Gumbau.
• 77'

  SubstitutionJuan del Carmen Cámara Mesa Francisco José Perdomo Borges
  Barca's next change sees Juan Cámara replaced by Borges.
• 77'

  SubstitutionJordi Masip López José Aurelio Suárez García
  More changes now, with that save from Armstrong’s effort proving to be Jordi Masip’s last action of the night, as he is replaced by J.Suarez.
• 75'

  CHANCE! Better play from Celtic, as Rogic penetrates Barca’s lines with a powerful run from deep. He eventually tees up Armstrong, who tires his luck from the cusp of the box, but Masip gets down well to make an easy stop.
• 73'

  From Barca’s point of view, this second half has been a stroll in the park so far, and Luis Enrique will be pleased with the efficiency and tempo that his side are playing at. The Catalans are in complete control, despite not having threatened Celtic’s goal on many occasions since the restart.
• 71'

  Good work from Dembele now, as the youngster - who seems to have struggled to have settled at Park Head so far - does well to shirk off his marker and slide a cross into the six-yard box, but Masip is alert to it and gets down to gather it in.
• 68'

  The game has hit a lull now, with neither side really looking to exert themselves in terms of attacking effort. However, with the quality they still possess, Barca could easily up the tempo at any moment.
• 66'

  Despite the changes, there’s no real change to the pattern of play, with Barca still dominating possession and territory. It is no more than a training exercise for the Catalans at the moment.
• 63'

  SubstitutionEfetobore Ambrose Emuobo Jamie Mccart
  Substitution Efetobore Ambrose Emuobo Jamie Mccart
• 63'

  SubstitutionJames Forrest Ryan Christie
  Substitution James Forrest Ryan Christie
• 63'

  SubstitutionSaidy Janko Anthony Ralston
  Meanwhile, there will also be a change for Celtic, with Saidy Janko going off and Anthony Ralston being introduced.
• 61'

  SubstitutionLuis Alberto Suárez Díaz Rafael Sebastián Mújica García
  Substitution Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz Rafael Sebastián Mújica García
• 61'

  SubstitutionSergi Roberto Carnicer Carles Aleña Castillo
  Barca's third substitution in quick succession sees Sergi Roberto make way for Carles Aleña.
• 61'

  SubstitutionDenis Suárez Fernández Jesús Alfaro Ligero
  And finally, Denis Suárez makes way for Fernández Alfaro.
• 61'

  SubstitutionArda Turan Alejandro Carbonell Vallés
  As predicted, there are indeed some substitutes in the offing, with Arda Turan being replaced by youngster Alejandro Carbonell.
• 61'

  SubstitutionJérémy Mathieu Marlon Santos da Silva Barbosa
  Another Barca change sees Marlon replace Jeremy Mathieu.
• 60'

  MISS! Well, by Luis Suarez’s standards, that is a poor effort! It was a terrific ball from Samper that picked out the striker in the area, but he was unable to direct his left-footed volley on target.
• 59'

  Another raft of substitutions is seemingly being prepared down on the touchline now. with Barca readying the changes. As I type, Ciftci does well to get around his marker and chip in a cross from the left, but Martinez is alert to the danger and beats Dembele to the header.
• 57'

  SAVE! That’s a smart, instinctive stop by Celtic’s substitute goalkeeper Fasan, as he gets down low to his right to deny Denis Suarez netting with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
• 54'

  CLOSE! Sublime play from Barca, as the two Suarez’s combine expertly to carve through Celtic’s defence, but Denis is just unable to find Luis with a low cross, and the chance goes begging.
• 53'

  It has been a rather slow start to the second half, more than likely as a result of that series of changes, with both sides just taking some time to settle back into their rhythm. While this is nothing more than a run out for Barca’s players, for Celtic is represents a real chance for some of the fringe players to cement themselves firmly in Rodgers’ thinking ahead of their clash with Astana, so they will be hoping to take the opportunity to impress.
• 51'

  That’s a good run from Munir, as the winger bursts forward at pace before looking to hammer a strike towards goal, but Janko had stood his ground and did well to make the block.
• 49'

  Neat and tidy play from Celtic, as the fresh legs of the recent substitutes aim to get them up the pitch swiftly. However, after a few short, crisp interchanges between Dembele, Armstrong and Rogic, the move comes to an end, with Camara mopping up for Barca.
• 46'

  SubstitutionLionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini Sergi Samper Montaña
  Just the one substitution for Barca, with Lionel Messi's game coming to a premature end, with Sergi Samper coming on.
• 46'

  SubstitutionPatrick Roberts Nadir Çiftçi
  Celtic's brightest spark in the first-half, Patrick Roberts, has also made way, with Nadir Ciftcii his replacment.
• 46'

  SubstitutionCallum McGregor Stuart Armstrong
  Another switch sees Callum McGregor make way for fellow youngster Stuart Armstrong.
• 46'

  SubstitutionScott Brown Tom Rogić
  In midfield, Celtic captain Scott Brown is replaced by Tom Rogic.
• 46'

  SubstitutionNir Bitton Scott Allan
  In midfielder, Nir Bitton is replaced by Scott Allan.
• 46'

  SubstitutionCraig Gordon Leonardo Fasan
  Meanwhile, in between the sticks, Craig Gordon makes way for back-up goalkeeper Leonardo Fasan.
• 46'

  SubstitutionEoghan O'Connell Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer
  The raft of Celtic changes continues, as Eoghan O'Connell goes off for Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer.
• 46'

  SubstitutionLeigh Griffiths Moussa Dembélé
  As expected, there are several changes for Celtic, with the first substitution seeing Leigh Griffiths make way for Moussa Dembele, who signed for the club from Fulham in the close season.
• 46'

  Following that huge batch of substitutions. we are finally back underway in Dublin!
• While this is Barca’s first pre-season encounter, it shall be interesting to note how Rodgers goes about managing his Celtic squad, especially considering they have just four days to go before their Champions League qualifier with Astana. We may well see a batch of substitutes for the Scottish champions at the interval.
• Celtic started brightly, but found themselves behind when Turan curled in a spectacular finish from the edge of the area following terrific play by Aleix Vidal. Parity was briefly restored when Griffiths capitalised on Martinez’s mistake, only for Ambrose to turn into his own net before Munir ensured Barca ended the first-half with a two-goal cushion.
• HALF TIME! That’s it for the first half in Dublin, with Barca heading into the interval with a 3-1 lead courtesy of strikes from Arda Turan, Munir and an own goal from Efe Ambrose, while at the other end, Jose Martinez’s calamitous error allowed Leigh Griffiths to steer home a finish from close range.
• 45'+1'

  There will be an additional one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
• 44'

  Top-class play by Roberts, there, as the youngster manages to hold up the play against three Barca defenders. However, his teammates aren’t able to keep the ball, and soon enough the Catalans are agin on the attack, with O’Connell having no choice but to concede a corner after a brief tussle with Suarez.
• 41'

  Goal Munir El Haddadi Mohamed
  GOOOAAALLL! Ambrose may have done well just a moment ago, but he was embarrassed there as Suarez slid a sumptuous pass through the legs of the Nigerian, setting up Munir for an easy tap-in in the process. Barca 3-1 Celtic!
• 41'

  Assist Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz
  It was another brilliant Barca move, with Messi the architect as he floated an inch-perfect cross-field pass into the path of Turan, who in turn slipped it through to Suarez. The former Ajax striker could have gone for goal himself, but instead kept his composure and slipped a low cross into the path of Munir, who made no mistake with the finish.
• 40'

  Good defending now from Ambrose, as he aims to atone for his earlier mistake by marshalling Suarez and preventing the ex-Liverpool man getting through on goal.
• 38'

  Smart work by Celtic now, as they aim to retain some possession and attempt to apply some pressure to Barca’s shaky back line. McGregor eventually whips in a well-hit cross that Griffiths manages to force back into the path of Bitton, but the midfielder can only direct a powerful effort well off target.
• 36'

  Unlucky! Normality has returned to proceedings somewhat now, with Barca’s midfielders managing to get on the ball for a spell before Turan looks to set Luis Suarez away with a delicate throughball. The Uruguayan is quick, but not quick enough to get onto the end of the pass, however, with Gordon coming out to smother the danger.
• 34'

  Well, what a strange few moments that was at the Aviva Stadium, with each side being gifted a goal by the opposition. For Barca, it may be a warning sign that their overplaying in defence is the biggest threat to their own goal, while for Celtic, the lack of communication at the back will be a concern for Rodgers, especially with just four days to go until the crucial second-leg of their Champions League qualifier with Astana.
• 31'

  Own Goal Efetobore Ambrose Emuobo
  GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Bizarre scenes in Dublin! Well, after an awful moment for a defender at one end of the pitch, Efe Ambrose has just suffered an even worse calamity, as he inadvertently turns a low cross from the left - that was providing no real threat to Celtic’s defence - past Craig Gordon and into his own goal, meaning Barca regain their lead just two minutes after parity was restored.
• 29'

  Goal Leigh Griffiths
  GOOOOALLLLL!!! WHAT A SHOCKER! Awful from Barca, as they throw away their lead by overplaying at the back, as Martinez’s heavy first touch in the 18-yard box is capitalised on by Griffiths, who has the easy job of slotting home into an empty net, with Masip also out of position. Barca 1-1 Celtic!
• 26'

  CHANCE! Superb defending from Janko, as Celtic’s right-back gets across just in time to smuggle the ball away from the feet of Messi, who looked all set to double Barca’s lead from close range after combining brilliantly with Denis Suarez.
• 24'

  It has been an impressive second debut for Denis Suarez so far, with the former Villarreal and Sevilla youngster having dictated the play from his position on the right-hand side of Barca’s midfield trio. Capable of crisp passing and sharp burst of pace - with quick feet to boot - it is no wonder that Enrique elected to re-sign the academy graduate, who is likely to play primarily as back up to Andres Iniesta next term, though he will have Robertp and fellow new arrival Andre Gomes to compete with.
• 22'

  CHANCE! Great work from Brown, as the Celtic skipper gets in early on Mathieu, with the France defender losing the ball in a dangerous area. The aforementioned Scotland midfielder drives towards goal before powering a low strike on target, but Masip is equal to it.
• 20'

  It’s steady play from Barca now, as they work it from side to side in the aim of wearing Celtic down and exploiting any gaps. Rodgers’ men are well into their pre-season, though, and are at least looking sharp in their defensive duties as they look to prevent the Catalans extending their lead.
• 17'

  Sharp stuff from Barca, as Roberts concedes possession, which allows Messi to feed Camara. The full-back attempts to get his shot off, but the effort is well blocked by the retreating Roberts, with the Barca defence only able to find the side-netting with his second strike.
• 15'

  STAT FLASH - While Celtic will most likely enjoy the majority of possession when they play in the Scottish Premiership, they are up against the masters of ball retention this evening, with Barca having seen over 70 per-cent of possession so far.
• 13'

  It’ll be extremely disappointing for Celtic to have dropped behind considering the bright start they have made to this game, but with the quality that Barca possess going forward, it was never likely to remain goalless for long. Can Rodgers mastermind a way for his side to get back in the game?
• 11'

  Assist Aleix Vidal Parreu
  It was a wonderfully-worked attack by the La Liga champions, with new signing Denis Suarez the key as he set Vidal free, with the ex-Celta Vigo utility player duly delivering a brilliant cross for Turan to finish.
• 11'

  Goal Arda Turan
  GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! WHAT A STRIKE! That’s sublime stuff from Barca, as Vidal races onto a delicate pass from Denis Suarez. The speedy full-back tricks his way towards the area before sliding an excellent cut-back to Turan, who curls a wonderful effort high into the right-hand corner, giving Gordon no chance. Barca 1-0 Celtic!
• 9'

  Great skill from Roberts, as the youngster, playing out on the right wing, cuts inside onto his stronger foot and weaves his way through a narrow gap in between two Barca defenders. Unfortunately, he is slightly off balance by the time he manages to unleash his shot, and the effort is shanked well wide. It's been a bright start to the game, with Celtic looking sharp.
• 7'

  Good news now for Celtic, as Bitton makes his way back onto the field of play, albeit rather gingerly. It’s one to keep an eye on, but for the time being at least it appears that the Israel midfielder will be okay to continue. As I write, Munir is allowed the space to run in behind and latch onto a floated cross, but the Barca youngster is flagged offside.
• 5'

  In the absence of Dani Alves, who has left the Nou Camp for pastures new with Juventus, Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal are the players most likely to be vying for the right-back spot in the coming season. It is the former Sevilla man Vidal who has started there this afternoon but Roberto - playing in his preferred midfield role in this game - is equally as effective down the flank.
• 3'

  A bit of a worry now for Celtic, as Bitton has to make his way to the sideline to receive some treatment after suffering an awkward landing following an aerial duel with Turan.
• 1'

  KICK-OFF! After huge cheers as the names of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were read out over the tannoy, and the customary pre-match photo, we are underway in Dublin! And, there's almost an immediate goal, as Enrique's side concede possession deep in their own half, allowing Manchester City loanee Patrick Roberts to drive forward and curl an effort towards the target, but it sails just wide.
• 1'

  GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Bizzare scenes in Dublin! Well, after an awful moment for a defender at one end of the pitch, Efe Ambrose has just suffered an even worse calamity, as he inadvertently turns a low cross from the left - that was providing no real threat to Celtic’s defence - past Craig Gordon and into his own goal, meaning Barca regain their lead just two minutes after parity was restored.
• The teams are making their way out onto the pitch now, with just moments to go before kick-off, with Brown leading out Celtic and Messi - complete with an Aaron Ramsey-inspired bleach-blonde hair do - captaining Barca. The atmosphere in Dublin is quite spectacular, let’s hope the match lives up to the build-up!
• It’s a near capacity crowd at the Aviva Stadium, and the fans in Dublin are buzzing in anticipation at the thought of seeing two of the world’s best, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez - who of course was the star of Rodgers’ Liverpool side. Both of Barca’s superstars, who needed over 100 goals between them last term, start this evening, with Messi set to play on the right and Suarez down the centre, with support coming from the likes of Denis Suarez, recently re-signed from Villarreal, Sergi Roberto and Arda Turan.
• TEAM NEWS - Barca substitutes: Samper, J.Suarez, Borja Lopez, Nili, Marlon, Alena, Carbonell, Gumbau, Martinez, Tello, Mujica, Alfaro.
• TEAM NEWS - Barca (4-3-3): Masip; Vidal, Mathieu, Martinez, Camara; Roberto, D.Suarez, Turan; Messi, L.Suarez, Munir.
• It appears to be a 4-3-3 set-up for Celtic as they aim to match Enrique's preffered system, though that could easily switch to a 4-2-3-1 should the situation of the game dictate. At the back, Saidy Janko and Emilo Izaguirre come in to the respective full-back berths. Up top, James Forrest comes into the fold on the left wing, while in the centre of the park Nir Bitton partners Scott Brown.
• TEAM NEWS - Celtic substitutes: Fasan, Rogic, Allan, Ciftci, Ralston, Armstrong, Christie, Ajer, Fisher, McCart, Dembele.
• TEAM NEWS - Celtic (4-3-3): Gordon; Janko, Ambrose, O’Connell, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton, McGregor; Roberts, Forrest, Griffiths.
• We’re almost there! The team news is in now from the Aviva Stadium, and - somewhat predictably even without several star players available - it is a strong Barca line up, while Rodgers makes four changes in total to the side that drew with Astana in Celtic’s most-recent Champions League qualifier.
• Celtic - under their new coach Rodgers - have had an inconsistent pre-season so far. After going unbeaten in their first four friendly matches, they suffered an embarrassing defeat to Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps in the first-leg of their Champions League qualifier, though they set things right with a convincing victory in the return tie back in Glasgow. A win against Wolfsburg and a defeat to Premier League champions Leicester City followed, before a 1-1 draw with Astana last time out.
• While Brendan Rodgers’ side are well under way in their pre-season, it’s been a rather long wait for fans of Barca to see Luis Enrique’s side, who won the double in Spain last term, in action. However, although Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are both available, the Catalans are not at full strength for today’s friendly, with several of their stars either still away on holiday following their exploits at the Euros, or - like Neymar - on international duty for the Rio Olympics.
• Hello and welcome, football fans, to this LIVE coverage of Barcelona’s International Champions Cup clash with Scottish giants Celtic. Stick right here for all the action as it happens from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, as Lionel Messi and co look to get their pre-season preparation off to a winning start!