Barça Legends 5-3 Maccabi Tel Aviv: Victory in goalfest

The Barça Legends have won the first of two games in Israel, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-3 in a wide open game with the likes of Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Saviola and debutant Bojan Krkic posting memorable performances.

Saviola converted a Ronaldinho assist to score with his first touch of the ball after just two minutes, although just six minutes later Badash levelled for the home side.

But the Catalans were in utter control and following a barrage of missed chances, a Rivaldo penalty finally put them back ahead in time for the interval.

Bojan Krkic came on for his debut in the second half and needed just four minutes to score off a Trashorras assist.

Jofre Mateu quickly extended Barça's lead to 4-1 with a fine solo goal, but the Israelis then sprung to life and goals from Turgeman and Haim suddenly threw them right back into contention.

But Barça settled things when Roger Garcia slotted home an assist from MVP Saviola and the huge crowd of 16,000 could applaud a blaugrana victory.

Albert Ferrer's side will be in action again on Thursday, this time against Maccabi Haifa.

MATCH STATS

Barça Legends: 5
Maccabi Tel Aviv: 3

Barça Legends: Angoy, Belletti, Déhu, Sergi Barjuan, Fernando Navarro, Trashorras, Jordi López, Giuly, Saviola, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi Guzmán, Francesco Coco, Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Goikoetxea, Roger Garcia, Giovanni, Jofre & Bojan Krkic.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Uvarov, Shpungin, Ben Haim, Carlos García, Ziv, Shelach, Banin, Nimni, Shina, Zohar, Badash, Shrauber, Kale, Yshai, Mishaelov, Tuviak, Revivo, Driks, Turgeman, Kubika, Baruch, Mesika, Gafni, Melika, Cohen, Haim, Biton & Tzarfati.

Goals: 1-0, Saviola (min.2); 1-1, Badash (min.8); 2-1, Rivaldo (min. 34); 3-1, Bojan Krkic (min. 44); 4-1, Jofre (min. 49); 4-2, Turgeman (min. 51); 4-3, Haim (min.77); 5-3, Saviola (min. 79).