Hamza Abdelkarim scores first Barcelona goal in Birmingham City friendly

Egypt international Hamza Abdelkarim has scored his first goal for Barcelona’s senior team during a friendly against Birmingham City in England.

The forward won a penalty in the 41st minute after being brought down inside Birmingham City’s penalty area. He then took responsibility from the spot, converting the kick to bring Barcelona level after the English side had taken the lead.

The goal marks Abdelkarim’s first for Barcelona’s first team and places his name in the club’s senior record. It also makes him the first Egyptian player to score for the Catalan club.

The match is Barcelona’s opening friendly of their English tour, which forms part of the club’s preparations for the new season. Abdelkarim’s involvement provides an early highlight for the Egypt international, who had already featured in the team’s opening pre-season fixture.

That earlier match was played behind closed doors against Europa, with Barcelona recording a 4-1 victory. Abdelkarim played in that game but did not score or provide an assist.

His goal against Birmingham City therefore represents his first direct contribution to a Barcelona senior-team result. After being fouled to win the penalty, he completed the move himself and restored parity in the friendly.

Abdelkarim’s achievement is also significant for Egyptian football, with the young forward becoming the first player from Egypt to find the net for Barcelona. The strike came in his second appearance in the club’s pre-season schedule and during the first match of the English leg of the preparations.

Barcelona are using the fixture against Birmingham City to build match fitness and continue their work ahead of the new campaign. For Abdelkarim, it was an opportunity to make an impression in a senior side after featuring without a goal or assist in the closed-doors victory over Europa.

His penalty ensured that his name would be associated with Barcelona’s first-team history, while also giving the club an equaliser in their meeting with Birmingham City.