Neymar bags brace, Barca hold off Juve
Spurs tame PSG
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States, July 23, (AFP): Neymar gave Barcelona fans a dazzling reminder of what they could be about to lose on Saturday, scoring twice as the Spanish giants defeated Juventus 2-1 in a pre-season friendly.
The 25-year-old Brazilian superstar is at the centre of frenzied speculation linking him to a gargantuan, world record 222-million-euro ($256.8 million) transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar had kept the guessing game about his future bubbling away after posting a picture of himself looking pensive on Instagram on Friday.
But there was little to suggest that the charismatic striker is overwhelmed by the transfer saga as he produced a bewitching performance in front of a sell-out 82,104 crowd at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Brazilian broke clear after only four minutes but saw a tame shot from near the edge of the area drift away from the goal.
Barcelona, with Lionel Messi starting, looked by far the more Kwadwo Asamoah #22 of Juventus and Ivan Rakitic #4 of Barcelona fight for the ball in the second half during the International Champions Cup 2017 on July 22, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford,
New Jersey. (AFP)
Harry Kane #10 of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick during the International Champions Cup 2017 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Camping World Stadium on July 22, in Orlando,
Florida. (AFP)
substitutes, sealed a 4-2 triumph in front of 33,332 fans at the Camping World Stadium.
It’s very early days in this preseason yet there was certainly enough on show from the London team to suggest a strong campaign in the Premier League beckons.
Both teams arrived at the Camping World stadium with tremendous uncertainty surrounding their transfer dealings this summer.
Emery was giving nothing away when asked about the potential transfers.
“Now for us the most important thing is to concentrate on the matches we have coming up,” added the coach, who on the evidence of Saturday’s game could use the infusion of talent.
Tottenham, meanwhile, were once again forced to contest claims that Eric Dier, their versatile England international, was the subject of a $50 million bid from Manchester United.
There is certain to be movement involving both teams as their respective domestic seasons draw closer, yet this was the first time Mauricio Pochettino’s side had played this pre-season.
On six minutes, Cavani powered the French side ahead. Youngster Cameron Carter Vickers was caught out by Adrien Rabiot who raced clear and squared for the Uruguayan frontman.
Tottenham looked culpable defensively, yet just five minutes later, Christian Eriksen pulled the Premier League side level. The Danish international unleashed an unstoppable, curling effort from 30 yards which flew past Kevin Trapp into the top corner.
While Eriksen’s equaliser was world class, Dier’s 18th minute goal was pure luck. Trapp’s poor clearance was hit straight at the Spurs player who gleefully saw the ball rebound over the line.