On Saturday night, Barcelona celebrated a significant win by clinching the first El Clasico of the season with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

This thrilling match took place in New York, where Pau Victor’s impressive double secured the win for Barcelona.

This win adds to Barcelona’s strong pre-season performance, following their penalty shootout victory over Manchester City earlier this week.

The game was held before a packed crowd at MetLife Stadium, but a severe storm delayed the match for an hour.

Once the weather cleared, Barcelona demonstrated their strength, showing Real Madrid they won’t easily dominate LaLiga this season.

Here’s what we learned from this exciting pre-season friendly:

Last season, Barcelona struggled to match Real Madrid and Girona in terms of goals scored.

With Robert Lewandowski nearing the end of his career, Barcelona needed a new attacking force. Enter Pau Victor.

The 22-year-old has been making waves this pre-season, and his two goals in this match were pivotal. After loan spells with Sabadell and Barcelona’s B team, Pau Victor seems ready for a more prominent role.

His performance, including a goal against Manchester City, suggests he could become a valuable asset for Hansi Flick’s squad.

With key players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr expected to lead Real Madrid’s attack next season, 18-year-old Endrick had a prime opportunity to make a mark.

However, he appeared overwhelmed and didn’t manage to make a significant impact.

It’s understandable given his recent arrival and the need to build chemistry with his new teammates.

A missed opportunity and a poorly aimed shot highlighted his current struggle.

While expectations should be tempered, it’s clear that Endrick will need time to adjust at the Bernabeu.

Hansi Flick Proves His Worth

Since Ernesto Valverde’s departure in 2020, Barcelona has seen a series of underwhelming coaching stints.

Quique Setien and Ronald Koeman struggled, and while Xavi led Barcelona to LaLiga success, he faced challenges off the field that affected performance.

Hansi Flick, however, brings a proven record of success from Bayern Munich.

His strategic approach, both in building up play and pressing, was evident in this match.

If he can navigate Barcelona’s boardroom politics as effectively as he did at Bayern, he could be the key to Barcelona’s success.

Vinicius Jr’s Impact is Immediate

Vinicius Jr made an immediate impact upon entering the game, showcasing his exceptional dribbling skills.

His desire to take on defenders brought a new energy to Real Madrid’s attack, despite the team’s overall struggle to break down Barcelona’s defense.

With the spotlight on Kylian Mbappe after his move from PSG, Vinicius should see this as a chance to shine alongside him, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.

This attacking quartet could be a force to reckon with in European football.

World Cup Warning: Weather Challenges Ahead

The 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium, but Saturday night’s storm highlighted potential issues with hosting major tournaments in the US during the summer.

After just 12 minutes, the game was interrupted for an hour due to heavy rain and lightning.

Similarly, a friendly between Wolves and RB Leipzig in Florida faced torrential rain. While FIFA can’t predict the weather, fans received confusing advice during the delay.

If you’re planning to attend the World Cup in 2026, it might be wise to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain and be ready for a soggy experience.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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