FC Barcelona went to Brazilian soil to play the final of the U-20 Intercontinental Cup where they were defeated by Flamengo on penalties (6-5) after drawing in regular time (2-2). The team led by Juliano Belletti let the title slip away with a team full of absences.
The Brazilian team took the lead in the first few minutes after an error by Landry Farré on the left wing, which was taken advantage of by Lorrán. By the 11th minute, the home team was already winning 1-0.
At 44', Barça had the clearest chance of the first half, when Jan Virgili hit the left post of the goal defended by Leo Nannetti. The culé team had to wait until the 71st minute to be able to equalize, when Virgili had a masterful opportunity after a pass from Xavi Espart. The definition of the azulgrana number '7' was exquisite, eluding the defender and the goalkeeper of the 'mengao'.
At 84', Nomoko makes a recovery, and he leaves it to Kluivert, but Nanneti saves the Carioca team. In stoppage time, Barça took advantage of a corner kick to get ahead on the scoreboard with a header from captain Álvaro Cortés.
It seemed that the title was for the azulgrana club, but Flamengo tied 2-2 in the last play of the match after a header from Iago Teodoro, who scored after a long pass from Daniel Sales. It was time for penalties, because there was no extra time.
Barça lost the intercontinental in penalties
Flamengo took over the penalties, of the 7 shooters, only Matheus Goncalves missed, in a shot that goalkeeper Eder Aller managed to save. Meanwhile, for Barça, Juan Hernández and Marcos Parriego missed their penalties.
45,656 people witnessed the great Saturday match at the Maracanã between the last champion of the UEFA Youth League and the winner of the last edition of the U-20 Libertadores.
Barça went to the Maracanã with important absences
For this clash against Flamengo, Barça did not have its most important players under 20 years of age who stayed for the friendly match of Barcelona Atlètic against Lleida.
Juliano Belletti requested Hansi Flick that the youth players Dro Fernández, Toni and Guille Fernández and Jofre Torrents travel to Brazil. However, that request was rejected because he needed them for the first team at the start of LaLiga EA Sports 25/26, this is due to the absences that were generated by the pending registrations.