Barça Femení took  'Festa del Gamper Estrella Damm', by defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 in front of more than 3,000 spectators at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. Goals from Esmee Brugts, Clàudia Pina and Caroline Graham Hansen in the first half secured victory for Pere Romeu's team . The match also served as the presentation of the 2026/27 squad, with new signings Kerolin, McCamey, who made her debut, and Martina all seeing action.

In their final preseason test, Pere Romeu fielded a familiar starting eleven with one eye already on the Liga opener on 30 August. The Blaugrana needed just a few minutes to take the lead. A superb pass from the new first captain, Patri Guijarro, found Esmee Brugts. The Barça full-back controlled the ball with her head and showed great composure to beat the last defender before calmly slotting the ball inside the post with just seven minutes gone. 

Brighton respond, Pina strikes back

With their second attack of the match, Brighton capitalized on a counterattack as Kiko Seike equalised with a powerful shot at the near post that gave Cata Coll no chance in the 12th minute of the game. 

The Barça players remained patient in possession, and Clàudia Pina restored the lead ten minutes later. The pattern was similar: another long pass from Patri, expertly controlled by Pina, who calmly found space between the defenders before placing her finish into the far corner to put Barça back in front on 22 minutes. 

Graham Hansen makes no mistake

Pina's goal marked the beginning of Brighton's most difficult spell in the game. Caroline Graham Hansen sensed the opportunity and struck on the counterattack. With plenty of space ahead of her, Barça's fifth captain surged forward and finished with a low shot into the corner beyond the goalkeeper's reach to make it 3-1 just after the half hour mark. 

Even with a two-goal advantage, Barça did not ease off. Pere Romeu's side pinned Brighton back inside their own half and controlled the remainder of the first half until the referee blew for the break.

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Minutes for Kerolin and McCamey’s debut

With the fifth Joan Gamper Trophy already well on track, Pere Romeu took the opportunity to make several changes at halftime. McCamey, the American goalkeeper, made her debut, while Kerolin enjoyed her first meaningful minutes, playing on the right wing. Marta Torrejón also entered the field, replacing Aïcha, Graham Hansen, and Cata Coll.

The second half began without many clear chances. Barça continued to dominate possession, while Brighton threatened only sporadically on the counterattack. McCamey produced her first major intervention with a decisive save to deny Kiko Seike, and she followed it up with another impressive stop shortly before the end. Soon afterward, Ohlander and Carla Julià came on in place of Paredes and Vicky López.

Unbeaten in the Gamper and ready for the league season

With ten minutes remaining, young players Maysa, Elena, and Carolina were also given the opportunity to participate. With the score unchanged throughout the second half, the referee brought the match to an end. FC Barcelona claimed the title for the fifth consecutive year since the creation of the women's Joan Gamper Trophy.

Pere Romeu's side now turns its attention to its Liga F opener, which will take place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on August 30 against Tenerife, kick off 7pm CEST. 

MATCH STATS 

BARÇA, 3
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION, 1

Barça: Cata Coll, Aïcha, Martina, Paredes, Brugts; Patri (C), Sydney, Pina; Graham, Pajor, Vicky – starting XI - Also played: McCamey (min, 45), Kerolin (min, 45), Marta (min, 45), Carla Julià (Min, 71), Carolina (min, 29), Ohlander (min, 71), Mayssa (min, 82), Elena (min, 82). 

Brighton & Hove Albion: Loeck, Vanegas, Symonds (C), Haley, Cankovic, Seike, Joramo, Kirby, Hayes, Olislagers, Rule -tarting XI - Also played: Moeaka Minami (min, 62), Gaby George (min, 62), Olaug Tvetden (min, 62)

Goals: 1-0 Brugts (min, 6), 1-1 Seike (min, 12), 2-1 Pina (min, 22), 3-1 Graham (min, 32).

 

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