Riyad Mahrez’s 99TH-MINUTE penalty ensures thrilling mid-season friendly in aid of ALS awareness ends all square… after Memphis Depay looked to have won it for hosts
The game took place to raise funds for ALS research, in honour of former Barcelona goalkeeper and coach Juan Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
Unzue addressed the crowd ahead of the mid-season friendly at the Nou Camp before then spending time in the dug-out with both manchester City boss joseph Pep Guardiola and Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez during the match.
Manchester  City took the lead through a Julian Alvarez goal in the 22nd minute after the Argentinian capitalised on a goalkeeping error.
The lead was short-lived as Chelsea target and Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised just seven minutes later. Frenkie de Jong smashed home before Cole Palmer’s tap-in levelled the score once again.
Memphis Depay then looked to have sealed the win for Barca with his strike, but an emphatic late penalty from Riyad Mahrez ensured that the game finished all-square.
Both managers opted to rotate their starting line-ups for the friendly in order to give players a chance to impress away from competitive action.
The hosts were the ones who controlled the opening stages of the game with an impressive start and arguably should have taken the lead.
By Fantastone*
