It was not to be for the Barça Legends as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against River Plate Leyendas in their first ever game in Argentina. A long range effort from Sergi and a header from Marc Valiente were the blaugranes closest moments to finding the net in the game in Buenos Aires.
Adverse start
Coach Albert ‘Chapi’ Ferrer started the game with the following XI: Angoy, Christanval, Frank De Boer, Navarro, Sergi, Edmilson, Sorín, Mendieta, Cocu, Gerard and Giovanni. Barça dominated possession early on but a mistake allowed Chori Domínguez to put River Plate ahead after just eight minutes.
A long range effort from Sergi went close for Barça and River’s Cavenaghi hit the bar in the remainder of the half with the Argentines taking their 1-0 lead into the break. In the second half Vítor Baia, De Boer, Nolito, Okunowo, Valiente, Soriano and Navarro entered the fray. River went close to making it 2-0 on a number of occasions as Barça ceded the initiative.
Second goal
Valiente went close with a header for the blaugranes not long before Ángel Ortega made it 2-0 or the home side with a well taken penalty. River ended the game 2-0 winners on a historic occasion for the Barça Legends team on their first ever visit to Argentina, a star studded match between veterans of two of the world’s most famous clubs.
MATCH STATS
River Plate Leyendas, 2
Barça Legends, 0
River Plate Leyendas: Barovero, Franco, Maidana, Rivarola, Abelairas, Domingo, Ponzio, Domínguez, Ortega, Mora and Cavenaghi. Also played: Giordano, Tula, Gerlo, Acevedo, Pereyra, Cuevas, Fuertes and Caruso
Barça Legends: Angoy, Christanval, Frank De Boer, Navarro, Sergi, Edmilson, Sorín, Mendieta, Cocu, Gerard and Giovanni. Also played: Vítor Baia, De Boer, Nolito, Okunowo, Valiente, Soriano and Navarro
Goals: 1-0, Domínguez (min 8); 2-0, Ortega (pen.) (min 67)
Referee: Nicolás Randazzo