The Barça Legends rounded off the season in style against Reds Football Club. In a star-studded match against Liverpool’s veterans, Albert Ferrer’s side produced a genuine attacking masterclass at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, running out emphatic 8–3 winners in their highest-scoring victory ever.

The occasion also produced a memorable image with the debuts of Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano, as well as a historic moment: for the first time ever, father Carles Busquets and son Sergio Busquets appeared in the same starting line-up.

PARTIT-193

Level at the break

It was an entertaining first half, full of action, chances and goals for both sides. Barça created the better opportunities and despite the 1–1 scoreline at half-time, deserved to head into the dressing room in front.

From the outset, the blaugrana showed that class is permanent. Jordi Alba provided a perfect example with his trademark runs down the left flank: bursting to the byline and cutting the ball back for a teammate to finish. In his day, the recipient was Messi, but this Saturday it was Andrés Iniesta, who came close to opening the scoring (6 min).

Aleix Vidal also went close, firing a powerful effort after a pass from Rivaldo, only for Dudek to turn the ball behind for a corner (17 min). Quaresma then delighted the crowd with a mazy dribble and a shot that drifted narrowly wide, in a move that would have produced a spectacular goal (19 min).

The goals did not arrive until after the cooling break, which was used to pay tribute to Diego J (20 min). Kluivert struck first after latching onto a through ball from Iniesta and beating Dudek (1–0, 25 min). Steven Gerrard levelled the scores when he pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box following an attempted finish by Luis Garcia (1–1, 33 min).

That was how the score remained at the interval after an entertaining opening period, although the deadlock nearly broke when Mascherano struck the post in the closing moments.

Barça step up a gear

The start of the second half couldn't have gone better for Barça, with three goals in the opening ten minutes. Rivaldo restored the lead with a finish into the top corner after Sergio Busquets won possession high up the pitch (2–1, 48 min). Nolito then collected an assist from Iniesta, cut inside his defender and produced a stunning finish (3–1, 51 min). And Iniesta volleyed home first time with an unstoppable effort beyond replacement goalie Sander Westerveld for Barça’s fourth goal (4–1, 55 min).

The goals kept coming. Following a flowing team move, Nolito grabbed his second of the afternoon with a precise finish inside the right-hand post of Liverpool’s Dutch goalkeeper (5–1, 61 min).

Record-breakers

Liverpool reduced the deficit through Robbie Keane, who capitalised on an error by Angoy while playing out from the back (5–2, 64 min). But Tello restored the four-goal advantage after racing onto a pass down the right and beating Westerveld with a composed finish (6–2, 68 min).

Barça were not done yet. Nolito completed his hat-trick with a low strike to make it 7–2 (74 min). The goal also set a new record, as the Barça Legends had never previously scored more than six goals in a single match.

Seven soon became eight. After Luis Garcia pulled one back for Liverpool (7–3, 83 min), Tello scored again following a magnificent assist from Iniesta (8–3, 85 min), putting the finishing touch on the Barça Legends’ 2025/26 season.

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    MATCH STATS

    BARÇA LEGENDS, 8
    REDS FOOTBALL CLUB, 3

    Barça Legends: Carles Busquets, Eric Abidal, Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Aleix Vidal, Quaresma, Kluivert & Rivaldo. Subs: Angoy (gk), Deco, Nolito, Bojan, Tello, Mendieta & Marc Valiente. 

    Reds Football Club: Dudek, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia, Klavan, Glen Johnson, John Arne Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Adam Lallana, Dirk Kuyt & Ryan Babel. Subs: Sander Westerveld (gk), Pennant, Abel Xavier, Berger, Robbie Keane, Smicer & Pongolle.

    Goals: 1-0, Kluivert (min 25). 1-1, Gerrard (min 33). 2-1, Rivaldo (min 48). 3-1, Nolito (min 51). 4-1, Iniesta (min 55). 5-1, Nolito (min 61). 5-2, Robbie Keane (min 64). 6-2, Tello (min 68). 7-2, Nolito (min 74). 7-3, Luis Garcia (min 83). 8-3, Tello (min 85). 

    Referee: Kim Woo-sung

     

    Força Barça