First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Goals from Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o and a hat-trick from Lionel Messi saw United go down 5-1 to Barcelona in this afternoon's entertaining friendly encounter at Tannadice.
United shocked their opponents by taking the lead after 25 minutes of end-to-end football. A through ball from Scott Robertson crept over the head of Marquez
and found Feeney in space on the left wing.
His cross seemed intended for Daly, but the big Irishman acted as a decoy drawing defenders away from Buaben at the back post, who was left with time and space to calmly nod the ball past Valdes with a downward header from just outside the six yard box.
However, Barcelona immediately hit back when Alves's cross was met by Henry who, at the second time of asking, was able to prod the ball past Zaluska with a low drive.
United threatened to sneak back in front with another effort from Buaben, but his long-range header was well wide of Valdes's goal.
Pedro then tested Zaluska with a 20-yard drive which bounced dangerously in front of the Polish keeper, forcing him to parry the effort around the post.
Gudjohnsen hit the post for the visitors shortly before half-time after Pedro's corner bounded across the face of goal. And Bojan rounded out the first half action when his powerful drive forced a superb two-handed save from Zaluska.
Barcelona made wholesale changes after the break, and the introduction of Eto'o and Messi would turn the hotly contested opening period on its head.
On the 55 minute mark Messi jinked his way through the United defence to stroke home his first of three goals in a display of silky football that had the home fans on their feet applauding.
The goal sparked a frantic 24-minute period for the young Argentine stiker, notching up three goals and an assist as the Spaniards took the game by the scruff of the neck.
A slack back pass from German striker Andis Shala allowed Eto'o through on goal, and the Cameroon striker left substitute keeper McGovern with little chance as he put his side 3-1 up.
Messi then completed his hat-trick with goals in the 76th and 79th minutes. Eto'o was involved in both goals, combining with a neat one two on the first to allow Messi to drill the ball home with his left foot from inside the box.
McGovern almost thwarted the fifth and final goal, as he pounced on a close range effort from Eto'o. However Messi was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Danny Swanson almost ended the game on a high for the home side, but he fired wide of the mark after breaking past two defenders to give himself an opportunity on goal.
TEAMS:
Dundee United: Zaluska (McGovern 45), Dillon (Kovacevic 57), Grainger (Dixon 57), Wilkie (c), Dods (Kenneth 75), Flood (Swanson 75), Feeney (Sandaza 75), S. Robertson (D. Robertson 57), Daly (Shala 57), Gomis (McCord 84), Buaben.
Barcelona: Valdes (Pinto 45), Alves (Abraham 64), Caceres, Marquez (Vazquez 45), Sanchez (Corcoles 80), Keita (Jeffren 45), Gudjohnsen (Pique 45), Crosas (Sergio 45), Henry (Eto'o 45), Pedro (Messi 45), Bojan (Ya Ya Toure 45)
Subs Not Used: Hleb
Click here for the full report by Craig MacLagan.
United shocked their opponents by taking the lead after 25 minutes of end-to-end football. A through ball from Scott Robertson crept over the head of Marquez
and found Feeney in space on the left wing.
His cross seemed intended for Daly, but the big Irishman acted as a decoy drawing defenders away from Buaben at the back post, who was left with time and space to calmly nod the ball past Valdes with a downward header from just outside the six yard box.
However, Barcelona immediately hit back when Alves's cross was met by Henry who, at the second time of asking, was able to prod the ball past Zaluska with a low drive.
United threatened to sneak back in front with another effort from Buaben, but his long-range header was well wide of Valdes's goal.
Pedro then tested Zaluska with a 20-yard drive which bounced dangerously in front of the Polish keeper, forcing him to parry the effort around the post.
Gudjohnsen hit the post for the visitors shortly before half-time after Pedro's corner bounded across the face of goal. And Bojan rounded out the first half action when his powerful drive forced a superb two-handed save from Zaluska.
Barcelona made wholesale changes after the break, and the introduction of Eto'o and Messi would turn the hotly contested opening period on its head.
On the 55 minute mark Messi jinked his way through the United defence to stroke home his first of three goals in a display of silky football that had the home fans on their feet applauding.
The goal sparked a frantic 24-minute period for the young Argentine stiker, notching up three goals and an assist as the Spaniards took the game by the scruff of the neck.
A slack back pass from German striker Andis Shala allowed Eto'o through on goal, and the Cameroon striker left substitute keeper McGovern with little chance as he put his side 3-1 up.
Messi then completed his hat-trick with goals in the 76th and 79th minutes. Eto'o was involved in both goals, combining with a neat one two on the first to allow Messi to drill the ball home with his left foot from inside the box.
McGovern almost thwarted the fifth and final goal, as he pounced on a close range effort from Eto'o. However Messi was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Danny Swanson almost ended the game on a high for the home side, but he fired wide of the mark after breaking past two defenders to give himself an opportunity on goal.
TEAMS:
Dundee United: Zaluska (McGovern 45), Dillon (Kovacevic 57), Grainger (Dixon 57), Wilkie (c), Dods (Kenneth 75), Flood (Swanson 75), Feeney (Sandaza 75), S. Robertson (D. Robertson 57), Daly (Shala 57), Gomis (McCord 84), Buaben.
Barcelona: Valdes (Pinto 45), Alves (Abraham 64), Caceres, Marquez (Vazquez 45), Sanchez (Corcoles 80), Keita (Jeffren 45), Gudjohnsen (Pique 45), Crosas (Sergio 45), Henry (Eto'o 45), Pedro (Messi 45), Bojan (Ya Ya Toure 45)
Subs Not Used: Hleb
Click here for the full report by Craig MacLagan.
