Barcelona edges Real in thrilling Miami Clasico

Barcelona drew first blood against Real Madrid ahead of the new season with a 3-2 victory in a pulsating Clasico friendly on Saturday in Miami.

The historic rivals will meet again twice in August in the Spanish Super Cup and this International Champions Cup match set the entertainment bar high, with Barcelona maintaining their 100 per cent record in pre-season.

While Barcelona beat Juventus and Manchester United, Madrid’s defeat means it end its pre-season tour of the United States without a victory.

Madrid was missing Cristiano Ronaldo, still on holiday, but both teams were close to full strength.

Ernesto Valverde, getting a taste of Clasico drama early in his career as Barcelona manager, selected Neymar despite speculation swirling over the Brazilian’s future at the club.

However, it was stalwart Lionel Messi who opened the scoring after just three minutes, firing home with the help of a deflection, before Ivan Rakitic doubled the lead with a powerful drive from Neymar’s low pass.

The sell-out crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium was in for a thrilling night and Madrid fought its way back into the game with Mateo Kovacic drilling home expertly, before Marco Asensio equalized in the 36th minute after a lightning break.

After a prolonged halftime break with music, lights and fireworks shows more akin to the Super Bowl, the game restarted at the same hectic pace.

Gerard Pique sent Barcelona ahead again in the 50th minute by flicking home Neymar’s curling free-kick, and it proved to be the match-winning goal.

It was the first time the teams met in a friendly since 1991 and only the second time outside of Spain. Given its success, the spectacle is likely to be repeated.

In other news, Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta said he would rather have Neymar at the club than a massive transfer fee, with speculations linking the Brazilian to Paris Saint-Germain in a world record deal.

PSG has reportedly held discussions with Barcelona about a transfer for the 25 year-old that would smash the world record 89 million pounds ($116.88 million) Manchester United paid for France midfielder Paul Pogba last year.

“He is one of the best players in the world and I always want the best players in my team. I have no doubt that we all wish him to continue with us,” Iniesta told a news conference ahead of the Saturday’s pre-season friendly BHBJOTU 3FBM