Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goal against the A-League All Stars' during their friendly soccer match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
The Associated Press
SYDNEY (AP) - Barcelona's first-ever match in Australia ended in a 3-2 victory over an A-League All-Star team on Wednesday with substitute Ansu Fati scoring the winning goal.
Before 70,174 spectators at the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona led 1-0 at halftime after Ousmane Dembele scored in the bottom right corner in the 34th minute.
Rene Piscopo leveled for the All-Stars in the 47th minute and the home side took the lead when Adama Traore scored in the 53rd. But his opposing namesake - Adama Traore - leveled for Barcelona in the 72nd minute before Fati's winner five minutes later.
'œI think, tactically, they (the All Stars) were very good," Barcelona coach Xavi said. 'œThey created chances in transition and we suffered a lot. It was a big surprise for us because I don't follow the A-League a lot.'ť
The list of absent Barcelona players was a long one. The team was without injured Gerard Pique, Pedri, Sergio Roberto, Eric Garcia and Sergiño Dest, who have all stayed behind. Barcelona was also without Riqui Puig and Oscar Mingueza because of international duty, and Ferran Torres didn't make trip because of his vaccination status.
The Spaniards were also without Martin Braithwaite, who has international duties with Denmark, while Neto and Clement Lenglet were out because of family reasons.
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke made his full-time coaching debut in the match when he led the All-Stars. Next season he will begin a two-year contract to coach the A-League's Macarthur FC.
'œI'm sure that everybody has probably left here pretty pleased,'ť Yorke said. 'œMaybe, from our point of view, we're disappointed with the fact we didn't win the game.
'œOverall, I think it was a terrific performance from the players. They deserve all the credit and praise they are likely to get.'ť
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A-Leagues All Stars' Daniel Dos Santos Penha, left, and Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele battle for the ball during their friendly soccer match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
The Associated Press
Barcelona's Adama Traoré attempts to control the ball during their friendly soccer match against the A-League All Stars' at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, right, talks A-League All Stars' Reno Piscopo during their friendly soccer match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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FC Barcelona pose for ateam photo ahead of friendly soccer match against the A-League All Stars' at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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FC Barcelona fans react ahead of the match against the A-Leagues All Stars' at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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Barcelona's Gavi, centre, takes a shot at goal during their friendly soccer match against A-League All Stars' at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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Barcelona's Gavi, left, takes a shot at goal as A-League All Stars' Adrian Mariappa watches during their friendly soccer match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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A-Leagues All Stars' Reno Piscopo, left, is tackled by Barcelona's Ronald Araujo during their friendly soccer match in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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A-Leagues All Stars' Scott Neville is unable to defend a scoring shot by Barcelona's Adamants Traore during their friendly soccer match in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
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