Barca ease to victory in South Africa

Barcelona came back from their shock defeat at Levante to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a friendly in Johannesburg.

The Blaugrana were taking part in the game for the Mandela Centenary Cup, celebrating 100 years since the birth of the former President.

With Lionel Messi on the bench – the Argentine was introduced for the final 15 minutes – it took the Spanish champions just three minutes to take the lead, Ousmane Dembele firing into the top corner.

Barca then doubled the advantage on 17 minutes after a neat one two between Luis Suarez and Denis Suarez resulted in the former Liverpool man slotting past the goalkeeper.

Sundowns almost got back into it when a shot hit the woodwork, whilst at the other end Dembele had an attempt kicked off the line.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde made 11 changes at half-time and a third goal was not long in arriving as Paco Alcacer made no mistake when set up by Andre Gomes.

The hosts did manage to reduce the deficit through Sibusiso Vilakazki as he beat substitute keeper Jasper Cillessen, before star attraction Messi entered the fray to the delight of the crowd.

Tags Mamelodi Sundowns Mandela
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