Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly: Gamper Trophy win with Raphinha penalty and late Gordon miss (full match highlights)

Barcelona breathed a sigh of relief at Spotify Camp Nou on August 19, 2026, after edging out Al Ahly 2-1 in a pulsating Joan Gamper Trophy showdown. "The lads showed character, especially after their early goal," manager Xavi told the press, referring to Hamza Abdelkarim's clinical 30th-minute opener, beautifully assisted by Alex Balde. The turning point arrived just before halftime when a clumsy challenge in the box gifted Raphinha a penalty, and the Brazilian made no mistake from the spot to double the lead in the 45th minute. But Al Ahly, the African champions, refused to lie down; 51 minutes in, Moncef Bakrar capitalised on a precise through ball from Zizo to pull one back and set up a grandstand finish. The real game changer, however, was Anthony Gordon's missed penalty in the 90th minute, blazed over the bar, which snatched away any chance of an equaliser. Could Al Ahly have forced extra time if Gordon had kept his composure? The Athletic noted that Barcelona's defence held firm under pressure, conceding only one goal despite Al Ahly's 4 shots on target. Xavi made five tactical substitutions to control the tempo, a decision that ultimately paid off. With this victory, Barcelona secured their fourth Gamper Trophy in five years, sending a warning to their La Liga rivals. It was a night of drama, statistics and raw emotion, just the way the British press loves it.