Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Things Learned from International Champions Cup

Chelsea beat Barcelona 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the two clubs played to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night in the International Champions Cup at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Eden Hazard netted a superb individual goal in the 10th minute to put Chelsea ahead, but the defending Premier League champions fell behind in the second half. Luis Suarez equalized for Barcelona with a classy strike of his own before a Sandro Ramirez curler put the treble winners ahead.

Barca seemed set for victory until Gary Cahill nodded in a late equalizer to send the game to penalties.

Keep reading for some of the lessons we learned from the match.

Eden Hazard Is Ready for the Season to Start

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With Lionel Messi and Neymar not taking part in the International Champions Cup, Eden Hazard played the role of superstar like an old pro on Tuesday night.

In the 10th minute, the 24-year-old Belgian took possession in midfield and promptly scored a wonderful individual goal. After dribbling past four Barcelona defenders with eye-catching skill, Hazard slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the near post.

Messi didn't make the trip to the United States after playing in the Copa America last month, but in his absence, Hazard's goal gave fans their money's worth.

Reaction on Twitter was uniformly positive. "No doubt about [it], Eden Hazard is right up there with the very best," Bleacher Report's Willie Gannon tweeted. "Just majestic," added B/R's Andrew Gibney.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has made headlines recently by claiming that Hazard performed better than reigning Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo last season, per Sky Sports. On the evidence of Tuesday's goal, it's clear that Hazard at least has the skills to match the world's best.

With the Community Shield fast approaching, Chelsea and Mourinho will be hoping that preseason preparations are at an advanced stage. Arsenal have impressed in their preseason matches and will certainly be eager to claim a win on Sunday at Wembley. 

But while Arsenal have plenty of supremely talented players, none currently matches Hazard at his best. In the Community Shield and in the upcoming Premier League season, the reigning PFA Player of the Year will likely have no equal on the pitch.

It's never a good idea to put too much stock into anything that happens in a preseason match, but Hazard is a known quantity. His brilliant goal only reminded us that a whole season of great moments lies in wait.

Barcelona Vulnerable on Set Pieces

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It's hardly news, but Barcelona were vulnerable on set pieces all night. 

Early in the first half, Cesc Fabregas set up a pair of great chances by lofting free kicks into the box against his former side. In the third minute, Kenedy (more on him momentarily) directed a header on target, which was saved. Three minutes later, Nemanja Matic headed over the bar.

Late in the second half after manager Luis Enrique had made 10 substitutions, including his goalkeeper, Chelsea equalized after Barcelona were unable to clear a corner. Replacement goalkeeper Jordi Masip came off his line to clear but arrived late, allowing Gary Cahill to head into the net.

No matter who was on the pitch for Barcelona, the Blaugrana struggled to defend set pieces. That's nothing new for this club, but it will remain a concern heading into the season.

Kenedy Impresses for Chelsea

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When the lineups were released ahead of the match, the most intriguing name on the teamsheets was Kenedy's. Chelsea and Fluminense reportedly agreed to a £6.3 transfer last month, per ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke, and as Chelsea announced on Twitter before the match, Fluminense gave the 19-year-old permission to play with his future club Tuesday night.

The deal might not be done just yet, but Kenedy has already made himself a fan favorite with the defending Premier League champions. Starting on the right and drifting inside, he impressed the club's supporters with dangerous movement, an effortless confidence and a commendable defensive contribution.

All those factors will work in his favor as he tries to establish himself at Chelsea, though it's most likely he will spend the upcoming season on loan to continue his development.

"We want him because we believe in him," Jose Mourinho said, per Chelsea's Twitter account. "Hopefully we have conditions to get him a permit, because we want him."

Luis Suarez Is Still Lethal

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As we noted before, it's dangerous to draw too many conclusions from any preseason match. Fortunately, we don't have to extrapolate with Luis Suarez. We already know the Barcelona striker is brilliant.

He showed it in Barcelona's recent match against Manchester United, after which Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett tweeted that the Uruguayan will be "more dangerous [and] more prolific, ingrained in the system" for Barca this season.

And Suarez showed it again Tuesday night with a first-class display and a clever finish for Barcelona's first goal. After Cesar Azpilicueta badly mishit a clearance into his path, Suarez held up the ball for a moment to let a defender slide past him, then lifted it past Thibaut Courtois.

Few players have such a combination of composure and deadly finishing skills. Then again, few No. 9s can match Suarez.

Follow @MiguelCominguez.