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Barcelona vs. Leicester City: Score and Reaction from 2016 ICC
August 3, 2016
Barcelona defeated Leicester City 4-2 in the International Champions Cup at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, on Wednesday in a highly entertaining friendly during pre-season training for both sides.
Barca took the lead through prodigy Munir before Luis Suarez linked with Lionel Messi to double the score. Munir grabbed a third on the stroke of half-time, but the Foxes hit back twice through substitute Ahmed Musa.
Rafa Mujica wrapped up the win late in the day as Leicester attempted to complete a dramatic comeback after a resilient second-half performance.
The match was full of energy and verve as both sides looked for a workout, but there was a clear difference in passing quality as the Spaniards prevailed in the first half.
The Premier League champions gave Jamie Vardy his first start of pre-season after Euro 2016 duty, partnering Riyad Mahrez in attack for the Foxes.
Barcelona fielded a strong side with Messi as skipper, while Denis Suarez was included in the starting XI after returning to the Camp Nou after a successful stint at Villarreal.
Barca looked in control from the early moments as the English side attempted to hit the Spanish giants on the break. The Foxes leaned on the ropes in the opening stages, looking to counterpunch and sting their illustrious opponents.
Demarai Gray should have given the King Power Stadium outfit the lead after he and Vardy burst through the Barca defence, but the former Birmingham City attacker wasted his opportunity as he missed the target, with Vardy clear for a tap-in.
The Liga champions grabbed the lead after 26 minutes as Munir expertly found the net after a sweeping attack.
Sky Sports provided footage of the goal:
Messi remained in control from the centre of the pitch as Leicester struggled to defend their territory.
The second of the night came eight minutes later courtesy of Luis Suarez as the Uruguay hitman bulldozed his way past his marker, lifting the ball over the 'keeper at the correct moment.
Sky Sports once again provided footage of the goal:
English heads fell further as Barca grabbed a third through Munir on the stroke of half-time.
Luis Suarez picked out the young attacker with a precision pass as the Foxes appeared well beaten before the second half.
BeIN Sports commented on the English team's dramatic capitulation:
Leicester scored directly after the break as substitute Musa burst through to penetrate a laboured Barca defence who were caught cold.
Fellow sub Shinji Okazaki assisted as the Nigeria international found a top-class finish.
The former CSKA Moscow attacker sprinted away with impressive speed, per Sky Sports:
Freelance journalist Ryan Hubbard tipped his hat to the Foxes sub as he finished with aplomb:
Leicester were much more impressive as the match wore on, and Barcelona appeared demotivated after a stellar opening. The Foxes were clearly on top as the game progressed and attained a second through Musa, who drilled his effort into the top corner.
Barca were now lethargic as the English team penetrated, with the result in danger for the leaders.
The English champions continued to show their fighting skills deep into the encounter and could have scored a third as Barca retracted. However, the Spaniards were happy to sit deeper and play their typical brand of possession football.
The changes were rung in the final 15 minutes as both teams rotated their selections to give extra minutes to their squad players.
Leicester continued to put pressure on their opponents' goal but couldn't find the strike to complete a deserved comeback.
Barca put the result to bed in the final minutes as Mujica fired home for a fourth against the run of play.
The Foxes now know the standard they will face in the UEFA Champions League, and the game against Barca will provide a barometer of things to come for the Premier League winners this term.
Post-Match Reaction
Barca manager Luis Enrique was pleased with his side's performance in Sweden, per the club's official Twitter account:
Leicester feature next in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday where they take on Manchester United. Barca play in the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla on Wednesday, August 17.