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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Riyad Mahrez raises stakes in Erling Haaland battle plus more Man City moments missed vs Barcelona

Manchester City scored a late penalty to rescue a second successive 3-3 draw as their charity match in Barcelona ended in entertaining fashion.

City had taken the lead in fortunate circumstances - Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena dropping an overhit Sergio Gomez cross onto the grateful boot of Julian Alvarez one yard out - before they took a 2-1 lead thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie De Jong.

Cole Palmer tapped in a wonderful team move to level things again, but Memphis Depay looked to have won the game late on for the hosts. However, substitute Erling Haaland burst into the box, won a penalty, and Riyad Mahrez stepped up to ensure the scores were level on a night where over 91,000 packed into the famous Camp Nou for a cause far more important than any football game.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola makes Bernardo Silva admission to raise Barcelona hopes of Man City transfer

Given there was an eventful 90 minutes of football, however, we've picked out four moments you may not have spotted:

Mahrez shows Haaland how it's done

Like on the opening Premier League fixture at West Ham, Erling Haaland's burst into the box was too much for the opposition, and a penalty was awarded. Unlike the West Ham game, Haaland did not take the spot kick, as Riyad Mahrez was on the pitch this time and emphatically fired the ball into the top corner.

Haaland's penalty at West Ham was equally as impressive, going in off the post, and led to suggestions that he could be the first-choice taker going forward. Pep Guardiola suggested before the season that Mahrez would continue in the role after his good form from the spot last season, and on this evidence, it seems he's in no mood to give those responsibilities up - even when Haaland is looking to take those

Haaland's warm reception

Some outlets claimed Barcelona were interested in signing Erling Haaland this summer before he joined City, although any home fans disappointed at missing out on the striker didn't show that on Wednesday. When Haaland went out to warm up in the second half, the Camp Nou gave him a rousing reception and Haaland showed his appreciation in a break from his usual ice-cold character.

He was given another cheer when he entered the pitch towards the end, although he may not have been applauded out of the stadium after winning City's late penalty.

Gundogan's captain influence

If someone turned their stream of the game on immediately after Cole Palmer's goal, they wouldn't have known the teenager had just scored for his boyhood club at the Camp Nou. Palmer calmly took high-fives from his teammates and walked back to his half, with Ilkay Gundogan then putting an arm around him and sending a message in his ear.

Whether it was words of encouragement, or an opportunity for a reminder of some sort, new captain Gundogan saw the unique opportunity to get something across to Palmer, who looked impressive throughout in his new central midfield role.

Old friends reunited

After the game, the players congregated on the pitch and in the tunnel, with plenty of old teammates catching up. Phil Foden and Ferran Torres swapped shirts, while former Leeds teammates Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha shared a nice moment following their respective big moves this summer.

Pep Guardiola was unsurprisingly a popular face, back at the place he made his name as a player and coach, with some reunions with Xavi, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets caught on camera. He also took time to catch up with Robert Lewandowski after their three years together at Bayern Munich.

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