Barcelona hold off Al Ahly to lift Joan Gamper Trophy after late penalty drama

Barcelona defeated Al Ahly 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday to win the Joan Gamper Trophy, surviving a late missed penalty and sustained pressure from the Egyptian champions.

The match had the intensity of a competitive fixture despite its friendly status, with a large crowd watching Spain’s champions overcome Africa’s champions after taking a two-goal lead in the first half. Al Ahly responded early in the second period through Ahmed Sayed Zizo, but Barcelona held on for victory.

Al Ahly made the more aggressive start, applying a high and intense press in the 13th minute in an attempt to disrupt Barcelona’s build-up from the back and prevent the hosts from settling into possession.

Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, gradually absorbed that pressure. The Catalan side slowed the tempo, circulated the ball intelligently and began to find spaces behind the Egyptian press.

The opening stages also featured some physical challenges, including a tactical foul by Eric Garcia to halt a run from Al Ahly forward Ashraf Ben Sharqi.

Barcelona created the first clear opportunities. Fermin Lopez played a disguised pass which took advantage of goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir’s decision to come off his line, but Mohamed Hany recovered to clear the danger.

Raphinha then found space inside the penalty area, although Amr El Gazar headed his effort behind for a corner. The Brazilian later tried his luck from distance, with the shot narrowly missing the post.

Shobeir went on to deny Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim, while an Al Ahly counter-attack broke down when Zizo was caught offside.

Barcelona eventually took the lead in the 30th minute. Alejandro Balde combined well with Raphinha, whose precise pass left the full-back in space to deliver a cross. Hamza Abdelkarim met it and finished from close range.

The young forward chose not to celebrate against his former club, Al Ahly.

Barcelona continued to threaten before the interval. Another mistake by Shobeir presented Lamine Yamal with an opportunity, while Fermin Lopez also tested the Al Ahly defence. Karim Fouad then made an important intervention to block a shot from Espar before it could reach the net.

Raphinha doubled Barcelona’s advantage in the 45th minute with a superb strike which Shobeir was unable to keep out, leaving the hosts 2-0 ahead at half-time.

Barcelona began the second half on the front foot and almost extended their lead after a serious mistake by substitute goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

Instead, Al Ahly produced an immediate response. In the 51st minute, Zizo broke through the Barcelona defence following a clever pass and calmly found the net with the team’s first genuine attack of the half.

The goal gave Al Ahly renewed attacking momentum. They increased their possession and began building more sustained attacks, with substitute Mohamed Magdy Afsha appearing to score an equaliser in the 60th minute before the effort was ruled out for offside.

Barcelona regained the initiative in the 67th minute, but El Shenawy produced an excellent save to preserve the one-goal gap.

There was controversy three minutes later when Koka went down inside the Barcelona penalty area. Al Ahly players demanded a spot-kick, but the referee waved play on.

El Shenawy then made another crucial intervention in the 78th minute, racing out to claim the ball before a Barcelona attacker who had been sent clear.

Two minutes later, Al Ahly missed their best chance to level. Substitute Karim Adeyemi controlled the ball impressively inside the area and struck powerfully, but his effort went straight at the Barcelona goalkeeper.

Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, prompting strong protests from Al Ahly. Substitute Gordon took responsibility in the 90th minute, but El Shenawy saved brilliantly to prevent a third Barcelona goal and keep Al Ahly’s hopes alive.

The Egyptian side could not find a late equaliser, however, and Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory and the Joan Gamper Trophy.