Manchester City 2: Nico O’Reilly (39′), Jack Grealish (60′)
Barcelona 2: Pau Victor (24), Pablo Torre (45+2): Barcelona win 4-1 on penalties.
Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City and Barcelona played out an entertaining 2-all draw at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Barcelona would emerge victors on the night after winning a penalty shootout 4-1 after the game finished level.
The first half saw both teams have their moments and Barcelona would go into the interval with a 2-1 lead. Pau Victor opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 24th minute as Victor slotted home under Ederson to open the scoring. City would draw level through Nico O’Reilly in the 39th minute. The youngster was played through by Josko Gvardiol and he cooly finished to level proceedings. But Barcelona would restore their lead in the second minute of first-half injury time through Pablo Torre.
Manchester City would pick up the pace at the beginning of the second half and would have their reward on the hour mark. Mateo Kovacic played in Jack Grealish with a sublime ball and the England international emphatically fired in an exquisite finish to level the game.
An INCREDIBLE run from @mateokovacic8, finished clinically by @JackGrealish 🔥
Watch live on CITY+ ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 31, 2024
Both teams would have their moments over the final 30 minutes of proceedings but the game would finish 2-all at full time. The game would head to a penalty shootout where Barcelona held their nerve to claim a 4-1 penalty shootout victory.
Here are the City player ratings as several City youngsters impressed and there were positive performances from Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis throughout the game.
City player ratings
Ederson-5/10: Not his best performance, and he would be disappointed with the goals he conceded.
Rico Lewis-8/10: Another polished display from Lewis. He looks primed for a big 24/25 season.
Kalvin Phillips-7.5/10: A quality showing from Phillips in defence. He looked more assured in possession and did his job well. A promising display from the England international.
Josko Gvardiol-6.5/10: Gvardiol set up Nico O’Reilly’s goal with a sublime pass. But at other times he looked rusty as he begins to find his form and touch ahead of the new season.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand-7/10: That was easily Wilson-Esbrand’s best performance of the summer. He defended well and was good in possession.
Mateo Kovacic-7.5/10: A quality showing from the Croatian international. His play to set up the equaliser for Jack Grealish was sublime and he looks ready for the 24/25 season.
Nico O’Reilly-7/10: Got himself on the score sheet and showed his quality at times. He is still learning what is required at the highest level but Manchester City look to have unearthed a gem.
Oscar Bobb-7/10: Bobb wasn’t as dominant as his previous two performances. But he was still a constant threat throughout.
James McAtee-6/10: A quiet performance from McAtee. He showed some flashes of quality at times, but not his best performance.
Jack Grealish-8/10: He scored one with an exquisite finish and was likely throughout. Looks fit and hungry for a big 24/25 season.
Erling Haaland-6/10: Was unlucky to be denied a goal in the first half before being substituted at the interval.
Substitutes
Stefan Ortega-6/10: Had very little to do after coming on in the second half.
Maximo Perrone -6.5/10: Once again showed his quality during the second half. Perrone has been a standout at times this summer.
Callum Doyle-7/10: Another quality performance from Doyle. He is by far Manchester City’s best young defensive prospect.
Mahamadou Susoho-6/10: Didn’t get into the game after coming on in the second half.
Jacob Wright-6/10: Once again showed poise in possession at times.
Amar Fatah-6.5/10: He looks to be a talented prospect for the future. Impressed again off the bench.
Luke Mbete-6/10: Came on and played at left-back. Showed some promising signs in an unfamiliar position.
Micah Hamilton-6/10: Couldn’t get into the game like he did against AC Milan.
Jaden Heskey-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.
