Messi, Barcelona beat Madrid
Over 66,000 turn out in Miami for preseason match
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — For one night in Miami, soccer was king. In the building crescendo of Saturday night’s preseason El Clasico Miami, in the swelling hype surrounding one of the world’s best rivalries, and in FC Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Real Madrid, the sport owned its massive stage.
The two Spanish soccer titans transformed Hard Rock Stadium into a blend of charisma and unpredictability, first with Barcelona’s dominant start, then with Real Madrid’s steady comeback, and finishing with Barca’s winning second-half goal. The crowd of 66,014 witnessed the brilliant magic of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and the breakaway speed of Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio — inserted into the starting lineup in the absence of star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gerard Pique scored off a Neymar free kick in the 50th minute to break a 2-2 tie, giving Barcelona a victory in the first Clasico ever played in the United States. The exhibition match in Miami was the first Real Madrid-Barcelona game played outside Spain in 35 years, causing ticket prices to skyrocket for the event.
Messi exited the match in the 63rd minute, while Neymar came off in the 73rd.
Saturday’s match capped a week-long ode to soccer that featured parties and concerts across South Florida. It was a schedule that more closely resembled a Super Bowl rather than a preseason soccer game.
MLS
ATLANTA UNITED 1, ORLANDO CITY 1: In Atlanta, Hector “Tito” Villalba scored in stoppage time to give Atlanta United a draw.
Dom Dwyer made his debut for Orlando City after coming over from Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday in an MLS-record $1.6 million deal. He started at forward alongside Cyle Larin and played 72 minutes.
MINNESOTA UNITED 4, D.C. UNITED 0: In Minneapolis, Christian Ramirez scored his 11th goal of the season, Bobby Shuttleworth had four saves and expansion Minnesota beat D.C. to snap a five-game winless streak.
Ramirez scored in the seventh minute to end Minnesota’s goal drought at 358 minutes. D.C. United has lost six in a row.
TIMBERS 2, DYNAMO 2: In Houston, Juan Cabezas scored the tying goal for Houston in the 81st minute, and Diego Valeri had a goal and an assist for Portland.
REVOLUTION 3, UNION 0: In Foxborough, Mass., Kei Kamara scored twice, and Juan Agudelo added a late goal in New England’s victory over Philadelphia.
The Union was playing without reigning star goalkeeper Andre Blake. He sustained a hand injury for Jamaica in the Gold Cup final loss to the United States on Wednesday.
RED BULLS 4, IMPACT 0: In Harrison, N.J., Daniel Royer had two goals, Michael Murillo had his first MLS goal and New York beat Montreal.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY 3, FIRE 2: In Kansas City, Mo., Daniel Salloi had a goal and an assist and Sporting Kansas City survived a late scare to beat Chicago.
CREW 2, REAL SALT LAKE 2: In Sandy, Utah, Ola Kamara scored two goals and Columbus rallied to tie Real Salt Lake.
EARTHQUAKES 1, RAPIDS 0: In San Jose, Calif., Nick Lima scored his second goal of the season, David Bingham had his sixth shutout and San Jose hung on to beat Colorado. It was San Jose’s first win since July 1. The Rapids are 0-8-1 on the road this season.
WHITECAPS 4, FC DALLAS 0: In Frisco, Texas, Fredy Montero had two goals and an assist and Vancouver beat FC Dallas for its third victory in four matches.