Hamza Abdelkarim scores as Barcelona beat Basel 5-2 before Al Ahly test

Barcelona completed a 5-2 friendly victory over Swiss side Basel as Hamza Abdelkarim scored in the final warm-up match before their Joan Gamper Trophy meeting with Al Ahly.

Karim Adeyemi, Abdelkarim, Lamine Yamal and new signing Jesse Bisiou, who scored twice, were on target for Barcelona. Basel’s goals came from Jean Dockouri and Kazem Olaijbi.

Abdelkarim was introduced at half-time, replacing Anthony Gordon, and needed only four minutes to make an impact. His goal was his third for Barcelona during the club’s pre-season preparations.

Barcelona took the lead in the 34th minute when Adeyemi converted a precise cross from Raphinha. The Germany international found the net for the first time since joining Barcelona.

Basel levelled shortly before the interval, with Dockouri producing a fine finish in the 43rd minute to beat the Barcelona goalkeeper.

Abdelkarim restored Barcelona’s advantage four minutes after coming on. He followed up Adeyemi’s cross in the 49th minute and applied the finish to put his side back in front.

Yamal then extended the lead from the penalty spot in the 81st minute. Basel responded three minutes later when Olaijbi also scored from a penalty, reducing the deficit to one goal.

Barcelona pulled away in the closing stages. Bisiou struck a powerful effort in the 89th minute to make it 4-2 before completing the scoring in the first minute of added time.

The second goal came after Bisiou followed up a cross from Yamal and converted from close range, completing Barcelona’s five-goal tally.

The victory marked Barcelona’s final friendly before they face Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy next Wednesday. The match will take place at Camp Nou and will bring an end to the club’s pre-season schedule.

Barcelona will then turn their attention to La Liga. They are due to face Elche in the second round of the Spanish top flight after the Al Ahly fixture.

Their opening league match, postponed earlier in the campaign, will be played against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, 27 August, at Camp Nou.