Barça 2-3 Club América: Defeat in Dallas

The blaugranes went down to a 3-2 defeat against Club América in Dallas despite going ahead on two occasions. The Mexicans came back from behind twice and a late header from Henry Martín gave them the win in a damp Cotton Bowl Stadium in Texas. 2023 comes to a close for Barça and they now return to Europe to enjoy a well earned short break before returning to action in the New Year. 

Lamine opens the scoring 

With the rain beating down, Barça came out to impose themselves on the game and an electric Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after just six minutes. The teenager weaved his way through the Mexican defence and then steered the ball home expertly to give Barça an early advantage. .

Club América hit back

The blaugranes were only ahead for six minutes with Quiñones on hand to score with a back heel from close range to make it 1-1. Barça rallied to retake the lead before half time. Héctor Fort surged down the right and his cross was met by Marc Guiu at the near post to make it 2-1 just before the half hour mark. 

Xavi’s team retained their lead at half time thanks to great save from keeper Astralaga who denied Leo Suarez an equaliser when the América striker was clean through on goal. 

América get a late winner 

For the second half Ferran Torres came on for João Félix amongst other changes and he immediately tested América keeper Jiménez. The Mexicans levelled things up again when Quiñones got his second of the game, using his strength to shrug off a challenge and fire past Astralaga from inside the box on 50 minutes. 

The blaugranes went close to taking the lead again through Unai and Oriol Romeu but it was Club América who found the winner, Henry Martín heading home past keeper Kochen, the latter having come on to replace Astralaga in the second half. Barça now return home after their flying visit to the USA to enjoy their Christmas break before focusing on their next challenge, an away trip to Las Palmas in La Liga in the New Year.