Houston Dash 2-3 FC Barcelona: Late comeback to finish third

Barça Femení secured third place in the Women's International Champions Cup in a very hard-fought contest with the Houston Dash.

With plenty of blaugrana supporters at Providence Park, Portland, Jonatan Giraldez opted to field a considerably different team to that which lost the semi-final against Olympique Lyonnais.

Despite having 75% of the early possession, his side struggled to turn that dominance into anything too dangerous, but Ana Crnogorcevic eventually broke the deadlock with a fine shot that bounded in off the post.

Houston were a better side in the second half and quickly levelled through Naughton and then Groom showed how good she is in the air to head the Texans into the lead.

Late brace from Alexia

Giraldez made a number of later changes, with Lieke Martens getting her first taste of preseason football, and it soon paid off when Alexia converted from the penalty spot. 

Barça were hungry to win this one, and Alèxia (named MVP after the game) was the most incisive player of all before she finally found the net again, this time from open play, in what would end up being the winning goal.

Barça, who led the shot count by an emphatic 24-5, were the worthy winners of this one, and will head back to Barcelona having gained some valuable experience on their short US Tour.

MATCH STATS

Houston Dash: Campbell, Daly, Seiler, Groom, Prince, Oyster, Latsko, Schmidt, Mewis, Spencer, Naughton.

FC Barcelona Femení: Gemma Font, Paredes (Pereira, min 46), Mapi León, Ana Crnogorcevic (Alexia, min 46), Melanie, Jana (Marta Torrrejón, min 64), Patri (Maria Pérez, min 86), Aitana (Bruna, min 64), Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina (Martens, min 64) & Mariona (Oshoala, min 46).

Goals: 0-1, Ana Crnogorcevic (min 34); 1-1, Naughton (min. 47); 2-1, Groom (min 62); 2-2, Alèxia (min 72); 2-3, Alèxia (min 78).