Barcelona edge past Al Ahly to lift Joan Gamper Trophy

Barcelona began their preparations for the new season with a 2-1 victory over Al Ahly to win the Joan Gamper Trophy, with Hamza Abdelkarim scoring alongside Raphinha before Ahmed El Sayed Zizo pulled one back for the Egyptian champions.

The match was particularly significant for Abdelkarim, who led Barcelona’s attack against his former club and made his first appearance for the Catalan side at Camp Nou.

Abdelkarim has now scored four goals during Barcelona’s six pre-season matches, making him the team’s leading scorer during their preparations. He opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Alejandro Balde delivered a cross into the penalty area, which Abdelkarim converted past Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.

Barcelona had threatened earlier in the match. Abdelkarim fired a powerful effort just wide in the fifth minute, while Amr El Gazzar made an important intervention on 18 minutes to keep out a dangerous attempt from Raphinha on the goal line.

Shobeir also denied Abdelkarim in the 23rd minute, although the forward had already been flagged offside. Raphinha then came close four minutes later when his fierce strike narrowly missed the target.

Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute after a foul by Hady Reyad. Raphinha took responsibility and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way in the 45th minute to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Al Ahly responded strongly after the interval and reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half. Zizo struck a powerful shot which found the back of the net, leaving Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia with no chance.

Barcelona continued to create opportunities, with Anthony Gordon testing Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with another fierce effort in the 66th minute. El Shenawy was able to make the save and keep his side within reach of an equaliser.

Barcelona were awarded another penalty in the 88th minute after Ahmed Eid was penalised for a foul. Gordon stepped up to take the spot-kick, but El Shenawy produced another save to preserve the scoreline.

The result secured the Joan Gamper Trophy for Barcelona just days before the club begin their La Liga campaign.

For Al Ahly, the match was part of their preparations for the start of the Egyptian Premier League. They are due to face Al Sharqia Enppi on Sunday in the opening round of the competition.

The fixture also saw Sufyan Benjeddida, the new arrival, included in Al Ahly’s starting line-up, while Abdelkarim was selected to lead Barcelona’s forward line against his former team.