Raphinha scores as Barcelona edge Nottingham Forest 1-0 in opening one-half friendly

Raphinha scored in stoppage time at the end of the first half to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead over Nottingham Forest in the opening match of a three-team friendly tournament also featuring Udinese.

The match was played as a single-half fixture, with Barcelona scheduled to face Nottingham Forest for one half before playing another one-half game against Udinese. The opening game ended with Barcelona ahead after a late goal from Raphinha.

FilGoal provided live coverage of the match on Saturday, 8 August 2026, with the opening stages closely contested between the two sides.

Nottingham Forest created the first notable opportunity when a dangerous effort in the 13th minute went narrowly wide of Barcelona’s goal. Barcelona’s defence was then called upon to deal with another Forest attack in the 23rd minute, as the English side missed a further chance to take the lead.

Morgan Gibbs-White came even closer six minutes later when he struck a powerful shot which hit the post. The effort left Barcelona goalkeeper and defence beaten, but the ball rebounded off the woodwork instead of finding the net.

Barcelona responded with pressure of their own, although Hamza Abdelkarim missed a clear chance in the 35th minute. That opportunity represented a significant opening for Barcelona before the decisive moments of the half.

The next major incident came in the 45th minute, when Fermin Lopez won a penalty for Barcelona. Raphinha took responsibility from the spot and converted one minute into added time to put Barcelona in front.

The goal was the final significant moment of the match, with Barcelona ending the opening one-half fixture 1-0 winners over Nottingham Forest.

Barcelona’s participation in the tournament continues with their scheduled one-half meeting with Udinese. Nottingham Forest are also part of the three-team friendly event, alongside Barcelona and Udinese.

The live account recorded the action in chronological order, beginning with Barcelona’s early danger in the fifth minute. Forest’s defence dealt with that opening before Nottingham Forest began to threaten at the other end.

The 13th-minute effort that went wide was followed by another Forest opportunity in the 23rd minute, before Gibbs-White’s long-range strike hit the post. Abdelkarim then failed to convert Barcelona’s clear chance, leaving the score level until the penalty decision late in the half.

Raphinha’s stoppage-time finish ultimately settled the first match and ensured Barcelona finished the opening fixture with a 1-0 advantage over Nottingham Forest.