Late Drama as Barcelona Overcome Tottenham in Joan Gamper Trophy
In a thrilling turn of events, Barcelona snatched victory from Tottenham’s grasp with a late comeback, securing a 4-2 win in the Joan Gamper Trophy. Oliver Skipp’s brace had given Spurs a halftime lead, but late strikes from Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Abde Ezzalzouli crushed their hopes.
The game opened with a surprise as Robert Lewandowski found the net for Barcelona within three minutes, setting the tone for a challenging match for the Londoners. Skipp’s heroic efforts pulled Tottenham back into contention, first tapping in an equalizer after a Giovanni Lo Celso shot hit the post, and then heading home from Ivan Perisic’s cross.
Despite the setback, Barcelona dominated much of the match, and their persistence paid off when Ferran Torres scored with just ten minutes left on the clock. The momentum had shifted, and the Catalans were poised to take control.
As the game neared its conclusion, the drama escalated. Ansu Fati’s 90th-minute goal was a testament to Barcelona’s relentless pressure, as he capitalized on a defensive lapse to secure the lead. But the heartbreak wasn’t over for Tottenham, as Abde Ezzalzouli delivered the final blow in injury time, sealing Barcelona’s victory.
Tottenham faced a tough challenge in the absence of star player Harry Kane, who remained in London amid transfer negotiations with Bayern Munich. The absence of Kane was felt keenly, as the team struggled to find their footing early on, conceding an early goal to Lewandowski.
While Spurs managed to rally with Skipp’s goals, their defensive resilience wavered under Barcelona’s renewed assault. An array of substitutions by Barcelona injected new energy into the match, as Ezzalzouli and Marcos Alonso wreaked havoc on the pitch.
Ferran Torres’s equalizer in the 80th minute showcased Barcelona’s teamwork, with 15-year-old Lamine Yamal contributing to the build-up play. Ansu Fati’s late winner was a just reward for Barcelona’s persistence, with Alonso exploiting defensive vulnerabilities to set up the decisive strike.
The final blow, delivered by Ezzalzouli, marked the end of Tottenham’s hopes and solidified Barcelona’s triumph in the Joan Gamper Trophy. The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of football, with late-game heroics often proving decisive.
Match Summary
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Kounde, Garcia, Balde, Romeu, De Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Goals: Lewandowski (3), Torres (81), Fati (90), Ezzalzouli (90+3)
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Dier, Sanchez, Reguilon, Skipp, Bissouma, Lo Celso, Solomon, Richarlison, Perisic
Goals: Skipp (24, 37)
Manager: Xavi (Barcelona), Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham)
