Barcelona closed preseason with a trophy and another useful test at Spotify Camp Nou. Barcelona vs Al Ahly ended 2-1 after Hamza Abdelkarim and Raphinha scored before halftime.
However, Zizo pulled the Egyptian side back into the contest after the break. Anthony Gordon then missed a late penalty against Mohamed El Shenawy. For Barça, the night mixed celebration, squad presentation, and one final competitive rehearsal.
Barcelona set the tone before the Joan Gamper Trophy
Spotify Camp Nou hosted 54,224 supporters for Barcelona’s final preseason match and squad presentation. Moreover, the Joan Gamper Trophy returned to the stadium after a four year absence.
Hansi Flick used the occasion to blend established starters with younger players. Rodri received the loudest reception after arriving from Manchester City this week. However, he was unavailable for the match itself. João Cancelo also waited in the tunnel but could not join the presentation.
Tactical Choices and High Pressing Opening
His expected free agent move had not been officially completed. Meanwhile, Flick started Hamza Abdelkarim at center forward alongside several young faces.
The Egyptian teenager entered the night with three preseason goals already. Therefore, his selection carried more than ceremonial value.
Barcelona pressed high from the opening minutes and pinned Al Ahly deep. Fermín attacked spaces behind midfield, while Raphinha searched for shooting lanes. As a result, the home side controlled the early rhythm without rushing possession. Camp Nou responded with the energy expected from this traditional curtain raiser.
Barcelona vs Al Ahly swings on Abdelkarim and Raphinha
Barcelona’s pressure finally produced the opener after 29 minutes. Raphinha combined with Alejandro Balde, who drove toward the byline before crossing.
Then, Abdelkarim attacked the delivery and finished first inside the area. The 18 year old chose not to celebrate against his former club.
🚨🏆 | GOAL: HAMZA ABDELKARIM OPENS THE SCORING FOR BARCELONA IN THE TROFEO JOAN GAMPER!
— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) August 19, 2026
Barcelona 1-0 Al-Ahly. pic.twitter.com/65UzVDsLT3
Raphinha Wins and Converts Penalty
Moreover, the goal took his preseason total to four. Raphinha soon created the second goal by reacting quickest inside the box.
He drew a foul from Hady Reyad and converted the penalty himself. Therefore, Barcelona carried a deserved 2-0 lead into halftime. That first half efficiency gave Barcelona control before Al Ahly could settle.
🚨🏆 | GOAL: RAPHINHA DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR BARCELONA WITH A PENALTY!
— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) August 19, 2026
Barcelona 2-0 Al-Ahly. pic.twitter.com/L8tw8c08Gk
Second-half changes give Al Ahly a route back
Flick changed six players at halftime, including Dani Olmo and Anthony Gordon. Meanwhile, Barcelona kept attacking rather than protecting the two goal cushion.
Al Ahly punished one loose defensive sequence in the 51st minute. Zizo controlled the counterattack calmly and finished past Joan Garcia.
Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly
— Ridwan♧ (@OmoleXXL) August 19, 2026
⚽️ Goal: Zizo (52’)
Must we concede 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/xGr5oeCuZo
Therefore, the final half-hour carried more tension than Barça expected. Gordon later had a goal disallowed and tested El Shenawy again.
However, Barcelona’s substitutions slightly disrupted the passing rhythm seen before halftime. Adeyemi also pushed forward, keeping the visitors occupied during transitions.
Late drama closes Barcelona’s preseason at Camp Nou
🚨JUST IN: Anthony Gordon’s penalty was SAVED in Barcelona’s friendly vs Al Ahly
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) August 19, 2026
Gordon was signed from Newcastle for €80 million earlier this summer pic.twitter.com/uSVCi2aJ6b
However, El Shenawy read the attempt and produced a strong save. The miss denied Gordon a cleaner ending to his Spotify Camp Nou debut.
Preseason Completion and LaLiga Preparation
Speeches and Ambitious Season Goals
Therefore, the Gamper served as the final checkpoint before matches begin carrying league consequences. Raphinha also addressed the crowd before kickoff as first captain.
In addition, Flick publicly set an ambitious tone for the season ahead. The coach referenced the desire to compete for every trophy, including the Champions League.
That message matched the scale of the evening without hiding the work still required. For Ecuadorian viewers, the wider interest now shifts toward Barcelona’s competitive rhythm.
Why Barcelona’s first-half control decided the match
Barcelona won because their strongest spell produced two goals before halftime. First, the high press forced Al Ahly to defend close to their own area.
Then, Balde and Raphinha combined effectively around the left channel. Abdelkarim gave those attacks a clear target inside the box.
Moreover, Raphinha carried responsibility both creatively and from the penalty spot. However, the team lost some control after wholesale second half changes.
Even so, Barcelona preserved enough threat to protect the lead. Camp Nou’s wide spaces also helped Barcelona stretch the Egyptian defensive block.
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